The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Mtomuhle Khawula, says that he will never forget the personality shown by Dr. Ntuthuko Mahlaba when he arrived at the Ministry he is now in charge of.
He said this while visiting Mahlaba’s family in Grace, Nquthu, yesterday.
Khawula said that when he came to see the staff for the first time at the Ministry, Mahlaba came to welcome him, which showed him that he is a person of character.
“What Mahlaba did showed me what kind of person she is, she didn’t look to see if I would take her place as she left and I did. She didn’t look to see if we came from different political parties, she just came to welcome me and the workers. She was someone who always gave good and positive ideas when things were going wrong and when things didn’t go well, she would show that what was happening was wrong,” said Khawula.
He said Mahlaba will be remembered for being a humane leader who cares about people’s health.
“He loved people, he served the community he lived in as he visited the place where he was born every Christmas they would get gifts from him. We sympathize with the community, his family, children and his wife,” said Khawula.
Ms Mbali Shinga who is a Minister in the Department of Community Development also said that they would not be left out to meet Mahlaba’s family as the departed leader was a humane person.
“We worked very well with Mahlaba as that is proven when we came here to his family. We are saddened by what happened, it is very emotional to lose such a young leader. We mourn for the family and his whole team for the visit of one of them, we hope that his activities will always be seen in the community and in every province he worked in,” said Ms. Shinga.
Yesterday, at Mahlaba’s house it was the same as in the previous days as the leaders of different groups and businessmen were coming and going.
Others did not meet the Minister of Public Works Mr. Martin Meyer, former mayor of Thekwini, Mrs. Zandile Gumede, businessman Mr. Thembinkosi Gcaba, Mayor of Nquthu Mr. Lindokuhle Shabalala, Mr. Zama Sibisi of Alfred Duma, Mr. Mzamo Mfeka of Ndwedwe, Mr. Sibusiso Mkhabela of Dumbe and others.
ANC members from Nquthu, Madlangeni and Newcastle, were also part of the people who came to shout at the swanna.
Mahlaba is expected to be buried on Saturday and a memorial service will be held in Newcastle today.