Mpumalanga mayor dies of Covid-19 complications on his 69th birthday

• Tsietsi Tolo died on his 69th birthday. 
• He was admitted to hospital on 29 December after testing positive for Covid-19.
• He has been praised for his work ethic and leadership skills. 

Steve Tshwete local municipality mayor in Mpumalanga, Tsietsi Tolo, has died of Covid-19 complications on his 69th birthday.

In a statement on Tuesday, municipal manager, Bheki Khenisa said the municipality had suffered a great loss and praised Tolo for his proactive work ethic.

"We console ourselves with the fact that he died a heroic death, a death coinciding with his birthday today, 2 February, reminiscent of well-known folks such as William Shakespeare and others who died on their birthday," said Khenisa.  

Tolo died on Tuesday after he was admitted to Life Midmed hospital in Middleburg on 29 December.

Before taking up office in 2018, Tolo was the Local Government, Traffic Control and Traffic Safety MEC which later changed to Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). He also chaired the Committee on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Resolution.

ALSO READ | Sedibeng Mayor Busisiwe Modisakeng dies

Mpumalanga Cogta MEC, Mandla Msibi, said they were shattered by his death.

"His demise has robbed this sector of a crop of leadership at the time when we needed him the most. His selfless contribution to community development and the determination to serve, set him apart from his peers. He championed the township economic revitalisation programme to improve the socio-economic status of communities in the Steve Tshwete municipality," said Msibi.

Both departments sent condolences to Tolo's family. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of grief. We humbly thank the family for giving him the support and space to selflessly serve the community of Steve Tshwete municipality and South Africa. He will be remembered as a selfless and tireless leader," said Khenisa. 

Details of his funeral are yet to be announced.