Ramaphosa, Malema and Others Mourn Tragic Death of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo

• South Africans across the country were shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo's death
• President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the internet to share a touching message about the mayor whom he'd spent the day with him Johannesburg canvassing for the ANC
• EFF leader Julius Malema also paid his respects to the mayor, he and Matongo had known each other well when Malema was in the ANC Youth League

Johannesburg - South Africa was rocked by the tragic news that the newly elected Johannesburg Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo had passed away following a car accident on Saturday evening.

From across the country, people paid their respects to the mayor who had caused quite a wave in Johannesburg when he was elected, with a number of people making xenophobic comments about him.

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The City of Johannesburg confirmed the passing of Matongo in a statement released.

Politicians from President Cyril Ramaphosa to EFF leader Julius Malema took to the internet to pay their respects to Matongo.

@PresidencyZA:

"President @CyrilRamaphosa mourns the tragic death of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo."

@niehaus_carl:

"What a terrible tragedy to lose such a young and talented comrade. Life is so fragile. Just two weeks ago we were together at comrade #KebbyMaphatsoe's funeral, and now our #MayorOfJohannesburg, comrade #JolideeMatongo has also passed on. May His Soul Rest In Peace."

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Matongo were canvassing in Soweto on Saturday, hours before he tragically died.

Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize dies aged 69, Mzansi sends condolences

In related news, Briefly News reported just last week that Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Hlengiwe Mkhize died aged 69 on Thursday.

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Mkhize was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) and chairperson of the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa (PWMSA).

She previously served as Minister of Higher Education and Training, holding office from 17 October 2017 to 26 February 2018 before serving as Deputy Minister in the Correctional Services and Telecommunications ministries, eNCA reported.

Among many other roles, Mkhize was a senior lecturer and researcher at Wits University from 1990 until 1995 and deputy minister was previous SA’s ambassador to the Netherlands, according to EWN.

There was a huge outpouring to the news online as people from all walks of life reacted to the news of Mkhize's passing.

@Pelican Fusi Motlodi said:

"Rest in peace. I will be happy if the cause is not Covid."

@Madee Dee wrote: "Yoh more shocking than sad."

Ramaphosa on PR blitz as voter registration opens, visits Soweto

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Earlier, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa kicked off the ANC's election campaign in Soweto with a presidential visit.

Going from door to door and performing a meet a greet with residents, Ramaphosa flashed his 1 000 watt smile and reassured voters that the ANC is alive and well.

In a video shared on Ramaphosa's Twitter page, the president can be seen greeting people wearing a face mask and performing the iconic elbow bump.

The video was captioned with the following:

"We are rearing to go. The ANC lives and it is to be found among our people. Together we work to resolve the challenges confronting our communities."

Source: Briefly News