The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has received with sadness, shock and disbelief the news of the passing away of Dr Sindisile Maclean yesterday evening (Tuesday, 26 August 2020) in hospital after he was admitted two weeks ago.
Dr Sindisile Maclean belonged to a generation of death defying youth which led the charge in bringing apartheid to its knees after President Oliver Tambo gave an instruction to make the systems of apartheid unworkable. He became the President of the South African Tertiary Institutions Sports Council based at Rhodes University with Bongani Gxilishe, KK Papiyane and Lincoln Mali, among many comrades.
He served as the ANC Regional Secretary: Border Region, East London (1993-1995). When the democratic dispensation came into force from 1994, Dr Sindisile Maclean served in Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature as an MPL from 1994 to 2000 and Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor from 2000 to 2006. He was appointed as Superintendent-General- Department of Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Eastern Cape (2006-2009). One of the accolades that can be attributed to the leadership qualities of Dr Sindisile Maclean is the fact that when he was Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor – the municipality received the Vuna Award (municipal excellence) as the best performing municipality in the Eastern Cape and South Africa (2003), awarded by the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, (COGTA). He also received the ZK Matthews Award for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as best performing ANC municipality in South Africa (2003), awarded by President Thabo Mbeki.
Dr Sindisile Maclean continued his academic journey and graduated in Master of Public Administration, Fort Hare University, South Africa, – with three distinctions – Dissertation entitled: Revenue Collection Methods in Selected Municipalities in the Eastern Cape (2008). Graduated in Doctor of Administration, Fort Hare University, South Africa – Thesis entitled: Assessment of Financial Viability in Selected Urban and Rural Municipalities in the Eastern Cape (2013).
After leaving public service, Dr Maclean became the Project Coordinator: Africa Educational Trust at Fort Hare University (2009-2011) where he coordinated international students who wanted training and preparation in public administration. At the same he became Lecturer in the Public Administration Department, School of Public Management and Development, University of Fort Hare, (2009-2011). Coordinator of the Raymond Mhlaba Research Unit for Public Administration and Leadership at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, (2012-2018).
Head of Department of Public Management and Leadership, Nelson Mandela University (2013-2017).
Dr Maclean was an embodiment of this upright social standing. He endeared himself to many people for his humility as well as for his outstanding abilities as an academic and an outstanding civil servant of a special type. The name of Sindisile Maclean belongs to the galaxy of exceptional men and women who, through their dedication and discipline, rose from humble beginnings to make an indelible mark in our nation’s collective consciousness and helped to shape our country’s democratic destiny.
We must always treasure the memory of comrades like Dr Sindisile Maclean and never forget the debt we owe them. They were prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of the struggle for liberation and progress, without expecting any reward except the support and love of the people he fought for.
We wish to express our profound and sincere condolences to the family of Dr Sindisile Maclean , his wife Ntosh and kids , colleagues and comrades in the Congress Movement and Mass Democratic Movement as well.
Lala Ngoxolo Dlangamandla, Zulu, Mchenge, MaBhanekazi, Nongwandla, Ngwenyankomo, Masali, Mfingo, Amajubantlantsi, Vumba lempongo liyanuka.
May his soul rest in peace.
Issued by :
ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Communications
Enquiries :
Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
Mobile No :0848439706/0849519924
