ANC STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF COMRADE SENZO MKHIZE

7 May 2016

The African National Congress and its allies, the masses of our people, our Provincial Legislature and the community of KwaZulu-Natal are deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely departure of CdeSenzo Mkhize.

This is a moment of great pain and grief for the family of the late Cde Khabazela and his movement, the ANC. Cde Senzo Mkhize, a PEC member of the ANC and the Chief Whip of the Provincial Legislature and former ANC Spokesperson passed away yesterday afternoon following a long battle with illness.

He departed at critical time when our movement the organization he has dedicated all his life was seized with an important task of transforming our province into a non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous home for all our people, particularly the poor of the poorest.

In this critical phase of our struggle we needed not just one, not two, not ten but a thousands SenzoMkhizes, and because of that all us know that it was not the time to loose the one Khabazela we had.

An outstanding revolutionary and a rare graduate of the ANCYL who was forever ready to serve our movement with absolute dedication to the course of our people. While he lived, his humility, his self-effacing ways, his constant humour, his unwavering loyalty to principle, his avoidance of self-serving theatrical flourish and his refusal to be defeated remain an inheritance his organization, the African National Congress, will forever miss.

Cde Mkhize emerged among his generation as one of the most principled, dependable and committed cadre for the success of the national democratic revolution. While the ANC lives, Cde Senzo Mkhizecannot die!

It is certainly a matter of great pain for many of us who had the privilege to work with him that because of cruel and untimely death he will no longer provide the necessary guidance as we travel on our journey to a national democratic society. Cde Khabazela commanded reverence and awe not because he demanded respect or instilled fear, but he was a simple and yet sophisticated human being who towered above his peers.

The ANC conveys its sincere condolences to his wife comrade Nelly Mkhize, his children, family and friends and to them we would like to say, Alwehlanga lungehlanga. The lived experiences of times that have passed are for us and future generations udondolo nomsibithi! The heroes and heroines, who Cde Senzo Mkhize has joined, like him, forever lives among us. Cde Khabazela you have run your race and for that we are immensely proud of your contribution.

While the ANC lives, Cde Senzo Mkhize cannot die! 

Long live the spirit of Khabazela, Lala Ngoxola Qhawe uyibekile induku ebandla.

Statement issued by ANC KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Cde Mdumiseni Ntuli, 7 May 2016