The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape mourns the passing away of Comrade Alfred Skuta Mtsi. Cde Alfred Mtsi passed away early this morning due to COVID-19 related illness.
Comrade Mtsi was a true servant of the people who joined the struggle for liberation at a very young age.His political activism was influenced by the 1976 school boycotts against the enforcement of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. He schooled at Hebron Primary School, Mzimkhulu Higher Primary and Gcisa Commercial High School which is now known as Khulani Commercial School.
Comrade Mtsi started work at Mercedes Benz of SA in 1983. In 1989 he was elected as a shop steward of Numsa representing workers interests. His leadership qualities was affirmed when he was elected in 1991 as the Chairperson of COSATU Local in East London. In 1992 -93 he was the Chairperson of COSATU in the Border Region.In 2000 Comrade Mtsi became the Ex-Officio member of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Amathole Region and in 2013, he was elected at the 7th ANC Provincial Conference held at Nelson Mandela University as the Provincial Executive Committe (PEC) member.
He graduated with a Masters Degree in Public Administration from University of Fort Hare, a Certificate in Governance and Leadership at UNISA, an Advanced Certificate in Public Administration and Management at UFH and a Certificate in Advanced Governance and Public Leadership at University of Witwatersrand. Comrade Alfred Mtsi served as the Chair of Chairs at the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, a position he held until his deployment by the African National Congress as Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metro in 2015. He was later deployed as Speaker of Buffalo City Metro in August 2016.
With his incisive mind, sharp wit and easy humour, Comrade Mtsi’s passing leaves a huge void in the ANC and Buffalo City Metro Council. Comrade Mtsi was a well-rounded activist who was one of a few who were involved in all the facets and pillars of our Alliance and the National Democratic Revolution.
Comrade Alfred Mtsi lived a remarkable life, one that inspired different generations with his uprightness, humility, love, dedication to serving people, his willingness to share his lifelong experience to mentor younger leaders and teach them accountable leadershi. He was a man of high professionalism and discipline who never demanded more than he was prepared to contribute.
He was a true revolutionary who was driven by a deep sense of love for his family and people. Indeed he lived by the words of Chè Guevara who once said “the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.”
We find solace in that Comrade Alfred Skuta Mtsi will be in the capable hands of Mtutuzeli Tom, John Gomomo, Pinki Ntsangani, Thozamile Gqweta, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, Yure Mdyogolo, Mbuyiselo Ngwenda, Steven Dlamini and many other greats in the land of the departed.
The ANC lowers its flag in honoring this special cadre of our Congress Movement. We convey our condolences to the Mtsi family and thank them for their generosity of having shared him with the liberation movement and the nation.
Go well Zikhali, Deyi, Mazembe, Jojo, Tiyeka, Butsolo Beentonga, Mbizana, Mabombo.
May his soul rest in peace.
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0848439706/0849519924
