STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF MR BHEKUYISE MUNTUKAYISE NTULI
MEDIA STATEMENT
17 JANUARY 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF MR BHEKUYISE MUNTUKAYISE NTULI
KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE MOURNS THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF ITS MEMBER AND MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE MEC, MR BHEKUYISE MUNTUKAYISE NTULI
Yesterday , 16 January 2021 we learned with deep shock the news of the untimely passing of KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Member, Mr Bhekuyise Muntukayise Ntuli. He passed away at a Durban hospital yesterday evening due to COVID-19 related complications. He had been unwell for some time.
Affectionately known by his clan name “Mphemba”, served as a member of National Parliament of South Africa from 1999 to 2003 before joining the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature during the 4th term where he served as a member of the Transport Portfolio Committee and Chairperson of the Community Safety and Liaison Portfolio Committee. Mr Ntuli was sworn in to the position of MEC in September 2019. Throughout his life in politics, he has been a humble, loyal, dedicated, hard-working and exemplary servant of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
He was a seasoned politician and a union activist. He held Primary Teachers Certificate from eMadadeni College; a degree in Management from UCT Graduate School of Business; a Certificate in Leadership from Wits University; and Post–graduate Diploma in Research, Strategic Diplomacy and Transitional Justice from University of Johannesburg.
Mr Ntuli’s rare qualities of being a peacemaker even under difficult circumstances earned him respect among his peers. This is not surprising because throughout his life, he performed extraordinary deeds in various structures and domains he served in.
In recognising his leadership qualities, his organisation, the ANC, elected him to serve as the Chairperson of the ANC in the Musa Dladla Region for more than 15 years. He served for more than 20 years as a member and leader of the ANC sub–committee on Peace and Stability.
Despite his tasks and responsibilities being complex and sensitive in nature, he tackled them with calmness. Passionate for peace in the province he had begun to implement a number of programmes that were aimed at reversing the tide of Gender-Based Violence, Taxi Violence, and reducing the carnage on the province’s roads. He has consistently displayed exceptional leadership and wisdom, with his passing, our legislature and indeed the entire country has lost an upright leader, a deep thinker, and a true servant of the people. We pray for comfort in this hour of grief.
On behalf of the legislature community, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Ntuli family, his friends, the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the organisation he represented in the Legislature, the African National Congress. May his revolutionary soul rest in peace.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE SPEAKER MS NONTEMBEKO BOYCE
For more information contact:
Nomusa Phungula
Office of the Speaker Media Liaison
071 851 0085/ 072 294 7237
