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Deceased Councillors greeted with emotional send-off ceremony in council

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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Councillors Manelisi “Lucky” Vumazonke and Buyisile Mkavu, who left this mortal earth within days of each other, received an emotional send-off ceremony during a Special Council Meeting today (Wednesday, August 6).

Councillor Manelisi “Lucky” Vumazonke, who bravely battled a long term illness, finally succumbed on Sunday, 27 July. He was laid to rest on Sunday, 3 August.

Councillor Buyisile Mkavu, widely considered to be a staunch campaigner for social justice and a conformist for the rapid and fair implementation of housing delivery programmes, was killed on Saturday, 2 August after he visited the Vumazonke house before the funeral.

Families of the deceased, their fellow councillors, ANC regional leaders, provincial government representatives, officials and members attended the special “emptying of the seats” ceremony where portraits and wreaths were handed over to family members.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Benson Fihla said: “We mourn the death of two great leaders of the ANC, who both happen to be from Uitenhage, an area of Nelson Mandela Bay where we have put great emphasis on improved service delivery.

“These two fallen heroes played an important role to improve services in Uitenhage and of course the rest of Nelson Mandela Bay. Their deaths leave a great void in Council.

“We are here today to say goodbye to them at this important gathering, but I can assure you that their contribution to this house will never be forgotten

“The story about our setback reverberated throughout the country,” said Mayor Fihla.

A memorial service for Cllr Mkavu, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality political head of human settlements, will be held tomorrow at the Allanridge Community Hall at 16:00.

The Chief of the majority party in council, Cllr Joy Seale, said: “The ANC produced thousands of cadres, soldiers, activists, comrades and leaders since it was established in 1912.

“The purpose and intent of both the ANC and its cadres has been to uplift the lives of the marginalised and bring them to the fold of equality, free of poverty and guaranteed access to employment.

“Amongst these cadres we count Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Edgar Ngoyi, Ruth First, Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, and among many others such as comrades Buyisile Mkavu and Lucky Vumazonke.

“May their souls rest in peace,” Councillor Seale said.

All the other political represented in council (UDM, PAC, COPE and DA) paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

Speaker Maria Hermans requested all councillors to attend the civic funeral service for Cllr Mkavu on Saturday, 9 August at the Allanridge Community Hall at 09:00 and suggested that they should be seated by 08:30.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.