Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

Saturday, 29 April 2023

Cllr Mlungisi Nkosi will be laid to rest tomorrow, 30 April 2023  at Kwa-Gwebu village in KwaZulu-Natal after he passed away on Monday, 17 April 2023 due to a short illness.

Nkosi should have been buried in Bethal on Friday, 28 April 2023 as per arrangements made by the Economic Freedom Fighters. 

However, that could not happen because his family wanted to bury him along with his other family members in KZN. 

It is alleged that there was a disagreement  between the family and certain EFF members from Bethal about where the fallen soldier should be laid to rest. 

Other political members shared how displeased they were with the EFF’s action of depriving the family of honoring and burying their loved one as per family tradition. 

Fortunately, the party and the family were able to put their differences aside and an agreement was reached to take Nkosi’s remains back to KZN. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters as well as the council at Govan Mbeki Municipality held a memorial service in celebration of Nkosi’s life at  Joseph Nhlanhla Community Hall in Bethal on the 20th April 2023.

Cllr Nkosi started his tenure as a proportional representative (PR) councilor during the 2021 local elections until his untimely death.

Nkosi worked under ward 21 in Bethal and was well known for being vocal about issues affecting the residence of Bethal. 

During his tenure, he established an informal settlement called Malema for people in Bethal who sought residence.

Speaking on behalf of his church, Pastor Kenny Mthombeni said he was deeply hurt about Nkosi passing. 

The pastor described Nkosi as a soldier who would tell you straight in the eye if you were going the wrong path.

Sfiso Mhlanga and Samkelo Skhosana, who were friends with Cllr Nkosi, said he was very vibrant at church and that church will never be the same without Nkosi.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the aunt said they are grateful for the support the party has shown towards the family and they have nothing more to say as they are deeply saddened by the passing of their family member. 

Govan Mbeki Municipality also held a Memorial service on the 21st April 2023 at the Municipal Chambers Celebrating the life of Nkosi.

Cllr Lwandile Ziwele, during the memorial service, pleaded with the members of the council to have unity through the spirit of unity. Continue to fight as Nkosi only stood for unity amongst the council members.

Ziwele further urged political members to stop fighting political battles and squabbling with each other.

Counsellors from different organisations sent condolences to the family of Nkosi during the political tributes.

” It is encouraging to see all political parties in council speaking one language, and this unity demonstrated today is the unity that we must carry forward and ensure that services are delivered in communities. 

In honouring the spirit of Cllr Mlungisi, we must rise above the pettiness of political parties and focus in ensuring that we build the vision of a Model City of Excellency, said speaker of the council, Cllr Fikile Magagamela during the memorial service held at the Govan Mbeki Municipality.