THE National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has confirmed the passing of its national spokesperson Khaya Xaba.
He passed away due to illness complications on Sunday morning, the union said in a statement.
Xaba was admitted at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital for Covid-19 related complications last Sunday.
The health union described Xaba as a catalyst for the rights of healthcare workers.
“His passing is not only a loss to the national union but workers in general especially at this critical moment when workers are confronted with third wave of Covid-19,” said Nehawu.
“When members and workers were losing their lives due to the pandemic, it was Comrade Xaba through the union that was in the forefront in communicating and exposing the deteriorating conditions workers had to endure.”
COSATU and various trade unions have also conveyed their heartfelt condolences to NEHAWU and the family of its national spokesperson.
Xaba joined the union in 2016 as a media liaison officer.
“He dedicated his life in defending the interest of workers – for better conditions of service and spent his time in defending the gains of workers against a brutal system of exploitation,” the union added.
“Apart from being a national spokesperson, Comrade Xaba was also an activist for social transformation who understood that society progress through a class-struggle and this was evident with him through his participating in the mass democratic movement in various capacities.”
Xaba served in different structures of the Young Communist League (YCLSA) in Gauteng.
Having served as a District Executive Committee Member of the Young Communist League of South African Communist Party (YCLSA) in the Oupa Phasha District in Gauteng, he was also elected as a Provincial Executive Committee Member of YCLSA Gauteng Province.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has also expressed its message of heartfelt condolences to the family of Xaba, Nehawu), Cosatu and the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA).
“It was with great sadness that we learnt of comrade Khaya’s untimely death. Xaba joined the national democratic revolutionary movement at a young age, starting with the YCLSA just after completing his schooling,” the SACP said in a statement.
“He was a selfless young communist activist determined to achieve socialism. It was in the ranks of the YCLSA as an activist, well as through academic studies, that Khaya developed his skills as a political and working-class communicator.”
The SACP said the YCLSA appointed him to be based full-time at its head office at the headquarters of the SACP to serve as its media liaison officer and national spokesperson.
“He distinguished himself through his dedication to his work and continuous capacity building, also forming part of the SACP’s media, communication, and information contingent,” the Party said.
“Nehawu noticed his talent and took a good decision when it appointed him to serve as its media liaison officer. Based on his performance, the union shortly promoted him to serve as its National Spokesperson. The rising star shined, communicating the decisions of the union, advancing the interests of the workers, and simultaneously continuing his broader political activism.”
- Inside Politics
