Steve Tshwete Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Jonathan Tolo has departed this world on the same day he came.
Born on 2 February 1952, he would have celebrated his 69th birthday when he passed on in the early hours of Tuesday, 02 February. Mayor Tolo died at a Middelburg private hospital after his admittance since 29 December last year after testing positive for Covid-19.
His death has been described as heroic as it coincides with his birthday, reminiscent of well-known folks such as William Shakespear and others who died on their birthdays. Devastated Municipal Manager, Bheki Khenisa said they have lost everything. “We have lost a father, a very dedicated cadre, a visionary, a good leader and very strict but fair administrator,” he said.
Tolo, a former teacher, Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), ANC Whip of the Legislature, MEC for COGTA, member of National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and Chairperson of the Commission on Traditional Leaders Disputes and Claims, joined the Steve Tshwete Municipality as Mayor in April 2018 until his untimely passing.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Nkangala Region described Tolo as a man who stood on principles and a trusted leader. “His word was his honour,” said party spokesperson, Sello Matshoga. “He was amongst few remaining principled, loyal and honest leaders of the organisation. His leadership style and political posture personified progressive outlook and historical revolutionary values of the ANC used to know, love, believe in and followed unreservedly,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said they will remember him for being a humble servant. “Tolo will be remembered for serving the people of this municipality with dignity. He always had a way with people and paid attention to issues brought to him by the opposition,” said DA Steve Tshwete Caucass leader, Johhan Dyson. The red berets, however, had their own way to remember him. “We will remember him as a deployee of the ANC called from pension after serving in the Provincial Legislature to replace Alderman Mike Masina. As we notice the down fall of our Municipality and poor services we are facing, it all happened under his leadership,” said EFF leader in Steve Tshwete, Enos Sebesho.
