SALGA mourns the loss of its Deputy Chairperson

Posted: 12 July 2020

The Eastern Cape Provincial Committee has learnt with shock about the passing of deputy chairperson, Cllr Alfred Mtsi who was also the speaker of Buffalo City Metro Municipality. Cllr Mtsi succumbed to death from complications of the dreadful COVID-19 on 12 July 2020.

The organisation will remember him as a committed and hardworking member of the PEC who was always willing to go out of his way to ensure that the municipalities he served receive value for their money through his excellent leadership. His humility allowed him to be one of SALGA’s trusted agents to lobby, advocate and represent the interests of local government in both local and international platforms. His respectful nature, diplomacy as well as humility allowed him to always be nominated as part of delegations that are sent out to resolve difficult and complex challenges that municipalities in the province encountered.

His was one of the longest serving PEC members as his tenure began after the 2011 local government elections and was re-elected to serve as a deputy chairperson of the provincial chairperson after the 2016 local government elections, a role that he fulfilled with diligence and zeal until his untimely death. 

He brought with him an exceptional high standard of professionalism and dignity to important events that he will facilitated on behalf of the organisation, he will be missed for his wealth of knowledge and wisdom. His personality made him stand out from the rest of his colleagues, as he was gentle, soft spoken. It is somewhat safe to say that he was a shy person until he confidently stands in front of an audience and eloquently address them.

Cllr Skuta, as he was fondly known as was also one of the Building Inclusive Green Municipalities Project (BIGM) political champions. The project is facilitated in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities where he had an opportunity to welcome delegations from various Canadian municipalities. His last interaction with the project was when he facilitated a conference that was hosted by the programme in March this year in East London. He took time from his wealth of knowledge and insight to educate delegates about the about the relationship that their country had with those fighting for liberation during apartheid.

Cllr Mtsi also gained favour with everyone who worked with him because of the amount of respect that he had for both young and old individuals who crossed his path in the workspace. 
The entire SALGA family mourn his death and are grateful that they had an opportunity to be led and learn valuable lessons from this humbly giant.   It is safe to say that heaven has indeed gained an angel. Lala ngoxolo Zikhali, Jojo, Butsolo bentonga!