MIDDLEBURG: Tributes are continue to pour in for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) after the untimely passing of Executive Mayor Cllr Bagudi Jonathan Tolo. The 69-year-old mayor passed away earlier on Tuesday 2 February from Covid-19 related complications.
Tolo was since admitted at the Life Midmed Hospital in Hospital on 29 December after testing positive for Covid-19. He was expected to be released from the Oxygen machine on Friday 8 January 2021, however his hospital stay was extended as his health was deteriorating and unfortunately he succumbed from the virus.
MMC for Social Development, Johan Matshiane, was deployed as acting executive mayor of STLM.
“We console ourselves by the fact that he died a heroic death, because, his passing coincides with his birthday as he was born on 2 February 1952. A death reminiscent of well-known folks such as William Shakespear and others who died on their birthdays,” said STLM Municipal Manager Bheki Khenisa.
Khenisa said they are devastated by Tolo’s departure as he was highly active and did his outmost in pursuit of service delivery.
“His astuteness and vigilance well be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss. We profusely thank the family for giving him the support and space to selflessly serve the community of the municipality and South Africa,” said the municipal manager.
The Department of Cooperative Governance Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) in Mpumalanga joined South Africans in mourning the late executive mayor.
The former anti-apartheid activist and freedom fighter was attached with the Coghsta in 2000.
“We have lost a warrior who was about to head the District Development Model in Nkangala District Municipality and about to turn around the economy of his municipality through a multi-million rand Township Renewal Revitalization project,” said Coghsta Spokesperson George Mthethwa.
The African Naitonal Congress (ANC) in Nkangala Region, also sent heartfelt condolences to the municipality, family and friends of the late Tolo.
“The ANC in the region has received with shock the saddening news of the passing on of our gallant leader. We are saddened to lose a leader of his stature and integrity. His passion and education dedication to serving our people was well-known,” said Sello Mathsoga, ANC Nkangala Regional Spokesperson.
Mathsoga described Tolo as a humble and a friendly person who treated all people with the equal measure of respect and carried himself in a dignified manner.
“While the family grieves on the passing of a father, brother, uncle and pillar of the whole broader family of Tolo, Mpumalanga mourns the passing of the great patriot, a leader and hero of our struggle for transformation and a committed democratic who led from the front,” said Mathsoga.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in STLM Cllr Johan Dyson said the party is deeply saddened by Tolo’s death.
“Tolo will be remembered for serving the people of this municipality with dignity. He always had a way with people and pay attention to issues brought to him by the opposition,” Dyson said.
An official memorial service was held on Thursday 4 February. Speaking on behalf of the ANCYL, Cathy Makhume, said the late executive mayor had a soft heart for young people.
“Today in Steve Tshwete we have young people who have achieved so much in business, some are employed because of Tolo. He wasn’t discriminating people in race and their political parties’ affiliation,” she said.
Umkhonto Wesizwe Veterans representative, General Mndebele described Tolo as a compatriot who was willing to take all challenges that were coming to his way.
“He took his chances to cross the heavily armed SANDF border first to Swaziland and later to Mozambique in 1982 to join the liberation struggle. He was not armed but being sustained by determination to free his people from oppression,” he said.
Tolo was laid to rest on Friday 5 February in a virtual funeral service that commenced at his home in Middleburg and proceeded to the Middleburg Banquet Hall before his burial.
Tolo was born in Middleburg in 1952 and moved to Limpopo a few year later where he matriculated and obtained his teachers diploma.
He later returned to Middleburg where he worked as an educator just before he quit teaching and started with his political turmoil in the 1980s.
In the same 1980s, the late executive mayor left the country to join the ANC military wing, Umkhonto WeSizwe and returned from exile in 1990 where he returned to his teaching job.
He took a turn into politics post 1994 elections and was deployed as a Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), serving as chief whip of the ruling party.
He then served in different structures of government including National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Coghsta, and established the Tolo Commission when chaired the Commission on Traditional Leader Disputes and Claims on national level before he was appointed executive mayor of STLM in 2018.
