By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
Condolences are pouring in following the death of former Buffalo City Metro mayor Dr Sindisile Maclean.
According to the statement issued by the ANC in the province Dr Sindisile Maclean an ANC stalwart died on Wednesday after being admitted in hospital two weeks ago.
In a statement issued by the Buffalo City Metro yesterday, BCMM executive mayor Xola Pakati has described Dr Maclean as a dedicated leader whose interest was to change people’s lives.
“These are deeply painful news for the City not only due to the good legacy that Dr Maclean left in the municipality but because of the fact that he was still a deeply involved development activist, pursuing a number of projects aimed at creating a better life for all.”
Pakati has described Dr Maclean as a leader, a mentor and a humble servant.
“Dr Maclean was a lifelong local government leader and administrator who never deserted this task when he exited from being BCM Mayor. Not only was he an academic with a passion for local and rural development, but he was also a pragmatist who got himself involved in the task of administering development and ensuring prosperity for all, ” said Pakati.
“He allowed himself to be deployed as an administrator and advisor to municipalities that were plagued by one form of maladministration or the other. His record in this regard is illustrious and he did this because he was a visionary, had passion for his work and subscribed to extremely.”
The African National Congress in the Eastern Cape has also expressed sadness about the death of Dr Sindisile Maclean and extended their condolences to his family.
“We wish to express our profound and sincere condolences to the family of Dr Sindisile Maclean, his wife Ntosh and kids, colleagues and comrades in the Congress Movement and Mass Democratic Movement as well.”
“Dr Maclean was an embodiment of this upright social standing. He endeared himself to many people for his humility as well as for his outstanding abilities as an academic and an outstanding civil servant of a special type.”
“The name of Sindisile Maclean belongs to the galaxy of exceptional men and women who, through their dedication and discipline, rose from humble beginnings to make an indelible mark in our nation’s collective consciousness and helped to shape our country’s democratic destiny.”
“We must always treasure the memory of comrades like Dr Sindisile Maclean and never forget the debt we owe them. They were prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of the struggle for liberation and progress, without expecting any reward except the support and love of the people he fought for.”
Maclean will be buried at his King William’s Town hometown on Thursday.