THE ANC in Johannesburg has announced a series of activities to honour the late Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubu, who will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
The ANC is to hold a virtual prayer service and memorial services on Monday and Tuesday for Makhubo (53).
Tributes have continued to pour in for Makhubo, who passed on from COVID-19 related complications.
Makhubo died six days after he was admitted to hospital. He tested positive for COVID-19 on June 20, went into self-quarantine and was admitted to hospital on July 3.
The death of Makhubo, who has been at the forefront of the war against COVID-19 in the city, has sent shockwaves across the city, Gauteng and South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Makhubo and lauded his contribution to the national effort to fight COVID-19.
Ramaphosa said: “”The passing of Mayor Makhubo is a stark reminder of the threat posed by this deadly pandemic against which we are all extremely vulnerable. Since he received his own diagnosis in June this year, Mayor Makhubo regularly posted public health messages urging people to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others. “Losing Cllr. Makhubo at such a difficult time for the City of Johannesburg and the country is a blow; our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with his colleagues at this difficult time.”
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said the province was shaken by the deep sadness and felt excruciating pain at the loss of Makhubo. “I send my condolences to the wife, Mrs Dikeledi Makhubo, children, close relatives, friends and comrades of Mayor Makhubo,” he said.
Makhura described Makhubo as a loyal and committed servant of the people who dedicated his time to the development of Johannesburg and the overall improvement in the quality of lives of the residents of the city.
He said during his tenure as mayor, Makhubo elevated the agenda of fighting against COVID-19.
Dr Nkosazana Zuma, SA’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, said:
“It is hard to come to terms with such a loss when we were still expecting a lot from a leader of his caliber. We join South African from all walks of life to mourn the sudden departure of Councillor Makhubo.”
The death of Makhubo, who has been at the forefront of the war against COVID-19 in the city, has sent shockwaves across the city, Gauteng and South Africa.
The City’s acting Mayor Eunice Mgcina said: “We had hoped that the Executive Mayor would beat the virus and return to work and lead the city as we face this pandemic that has devastated lives and livelihoods. Sadly, it was not to be. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife, daughters, mother, the rest of his family, friends, and comrades.”
The Gauteng provincial government has paid tribute to Makhubo. “On behalf of the Gauteng provincial government we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Makhubo family; his colleagues in Exco and his organization, the African National Congress”, said Lebogang Maile, the MEC for Human Settlements.
Maile said Makhubo died at a time where City of Johannesburg was accelerating service delivery in communities, especially in poor and working-class communities. “We are saddened about Mayor Makhubo’s death. This is a huge blow for local government not only in Johannesburg but provincially as a whole. He was a very disciplined and committed servant, who was dedicated to the service of the people”, he said.
Maile is expected to visit the Makhubo family to extend the government’s condolences.
Makhubo became the Mayor of Johannesburg on December 04, 2019. Previously, he has held various positions in the Council. He served as the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance in the City of Johannesburg from 2011 to 2016.
He has also held the positions of Leader of Executive Business in Council and that of Chairperson of the Governance Cluster.
The Executive Mayor was previously elected as the Co-President of the Metropolis Global Fund for Cities’ Development (FMDV).
He was chairperson of the African National Congress in the Greater Johannesburg Region.
