By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
Condolences are pouring in following the death of Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana after she died yesterday in a private hospital in East London.
The 59-year-old Matana was rushed and admitted to hospital on Sunday due to Covid-19 related complications.
Due to difficulties back at home, Matana had to drop school in standard seven and look for work so that she can support her family.
At the age of 55 in 2015 Matana went back to school to complete her matric, she continued with her studies and got her degree from the University of Fort Hare at the age of 59.
Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Xola Pakati has expressed shock at the sudden death of his deputy.
“It’s with great sorrow and sadness that we learn of the shocking news of the untimely departure of the Deputy Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Councillor Zoliswa Matana,” said Xola Pakati.
The Mayor has described Matana as a person who was much involved in developing Buffalo City Metro.
“We are in serious devastation as the Deputy Executive Mayor was highly active in the implementation of development in the city, more particularly integrated planning as she was responsible for IDP and the performance reporting function. Her astuteness and vigilance will be dearly missed,” said the mayor.
He said COVID-19 has caused huge devastation in the city and that Matana was an inspiration to others.
“Our City has lost a steadfast, raw, vigilant but yet committed community activist whose life story is the testimony of selfless service to others. The continuing devastation that is caused by COVID-19 is too huge to fathom and explain,” he said.
Pakati further said numbers of infections in the Metro are beginning to rise and that is the signal of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This loss of the Deputy Executive Mayor reaches us at a time where we are starting to witness an alarming rise in COVID-19 infections, a signal of the arrival of the second wave of the Corona Virus. This happens just as we thought that the storm with the accompanying grief and sorrow has passed,” said Pakati.
Pakati has sent his heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana.
“We send our deep and most sincere condolences to the Matana family, friends and comrades of the Deputy Executive Mayor. Sithi thuthuzelekani. We are unable to even imagine the amount of pain you feel. We share in your shock and grief.” he said.
Further details regarding Matana’s funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.