The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has learnt with sadness of the passing away of former Executive Mayor – King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality Dr De la Rey Mkhatshwa after he has not been well for some time.
An educator by profession , in 1980 he was appointed as Circuit Inspector of the Port St. Johns and Libode District. The Transkei Department of Education appointed him to the position of Educational Planner. Soon after his appointment he studied for his Masters Degree in Curriculum Development at the University of Wales, in Cardiff in the United Kingdom. He returned to resume his duties and was later promoted to Deputy Chief Director – Department of Education in 1985. As a renowned educator and historian, he co-authored two history text books for Standards 6 and 7.
In 1987 he moved to the Department Foreign Affairs and Information as a Deputy Director General. Through his diligent and meticulous work he later became the Ambassador of Transkei to South Africa, appointed by the then military Government, led by Gen.Bantu Holomisa.
At the end of his term he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Information as the Director General. In that same year he transferred to the Ministry of Education where he held the position of Director General and the Chairman of the Strategic Team. In 1994 he completed in PhD studies at the University of Pretoria and assumed the title of Doctor.
In 1996, he was seconded to the Ministry of Public Enterprises as a General Manager at TRANSNET, where he completed his three-year term. Because he valued education so highly, from 2002 to 2003 he worked as a tutor at UNISA, whilst also serving as Councillor and ANC Party Leader in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality.
In August 2004 he was elected as the Executive Mayor of KSD Municipality until his resignation in June of 2007 to enjoy his retirement. In 2017, he was asked to step in as Administrator at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mvezo until 2018.
He served on the board of: Standard Bank Provincial Advisory (Eastern Cape) 1996 – 2000, as Chairman of the Council at the Eastern Cape Techinkon (2000 – 2001), Committee member of the ESKOM Mathematics and Science Colleges of Education Project, as a member of the Executive Committee of the Synod of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Clarkebury District. Other leadership roles include Port St Johns Mayor and Chairperson of Council at University of Transkei.
Over the years, Dr Mkhatshwa consistently evidenced a nuanced comprehension of the Republic of South Africa, developing a profoundly deep knowledge of South Africa’s place in the world that was the result of wide-ranging experience and acute intelligence.
There were many outstanding traits in Dr Mkhatshwa . Key amongst all, was his undying loyalty to this country and its people, and his willingness to do everything possible to make South Africa a better place to live in, especially for the poor.
He was an empowering and an inspirational individual. He let his work speak for itself and shied away from glory and praise. Such humility and grace!
May the Mkhatshwa family find solace in the knowledge that this fine gentleman we are bidding farewell to, is leaving a sound legacy behind.
Lala Ngoxolo Bhele, Chintsa, Bikane, Mahlangabeza, Skubane, Nontanda’kuphakanyiswa
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0848439706/0849519924
