The late Thabo Masebe. Picture: Supplied
Pretoria - Parliament, the ANC and political parties in Gauteng have described the late Thabo Masebe as a distinguished leader and communicator who cared for the delivery of services to the people.
Masebe died of an undisclosed illness on Monday, and his family immediately asked the media to allow them space to mourn his passing.
The death, which sent shockwaves across the country, has, however, united political parties in sending their condolences to his family and children. Masebe was at the time of his death acting director-general in the office of Gauteng Premier David Makhura.
Masebe took over from Phindile Baleni who has since taken up the job of director-general in the Presidency.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said Masebe was from the generation of young lions of the 1980s, and fought for freedom as a leader in the student and youth movement in the then Northern Transvaal.
After the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, he served as chairperson of the ANC Youth League in the then Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo) and went on to serve as a member of the ANCYL national executive committee until 2001.
“At the ANCYL congress in 1994, when the generational transition from Peter Mokaba then president of the ANCYL and Rapu Molekane then secretary-general took place, he was elected to serve as treasurer-general of the ANC Youth League.
“Masebe went on to distinguish himself as a capable and versatile public servant and communicator in various spheres of government, serving as spokesperson to then premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Kgalema Montlanthe, deputy president at the time, and many others.
“Masebe was a diligent, hardworking and consistent servant and leader of the people, never shy to speak his mind and to challenge any actions which undermined the cause of freedom and development of the people.
“Throughout his life, he was committed to learning and self-development, building expertise and deep knowledge in whichever sphere he found himself,” Mabe said.
Mzi Khumalo, the ANC’s chief whip in the Gauteng legislature, said Masebe carried out assignments given to him during various deployments by the ANC with dedication and unquestionable commitment. “Cde Thabo was part of a legion of brave, death-defying generation of fearless Young Lions who challenged the apartheid regime head-on in both the townships and universities,” Khumalo said.
Yesterday the chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications, Boyce Maneli, also extended his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Masebe.
“We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and everyone in the country who has been directly or indirectly affected by his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Pretoria News