FORMER Joburg mayor Geoff Makhubo was laid to rest in Johannesburg after a sombre funeral on Wednesday.
Makhubo’s family, friends and colleagues paid emotional tributes to the 53-year-old mayor, who passed away last week from COVID-19 complications.
Gauteng premier David Makhura said Makhubo was an exemplary leader who was committed to improving the lives of the ordinary people, particularly residents of the city.
Makhura said the former mayor worked very hard to unite the ANC Greater Johannesburg Region.
“As the premier of Gauteng, I am the one who sent comrade Makhubo to the battle against Covid-19. He understood that people cannot be led from the office,” said Makhura.
“There is no question that we are hurt and we are hurting, we continue to cry but beyond the pain are memories of the leader who has made an impact.”
Makhura said Makhubo leaves a legacy among communities across the city of Johannesburg and in the ANC, but also in international bodies.
Makhura also called on community organisations in Gauteng to go all out and stop the violence and looting that is currently taking place in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg CBD and Soweto.
He said those who are behind this must be tracked down and arrested, this seems to be well organised.
“We cannot allow the criminal elements to take over and destroy everything we have built. We cannot be held ransom by criminal elements. Comrade Geoff would’ve joined us in this battle and now it is in our hands,” said Makhura.
His friend, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane said: “His commitment to improving the lives of people was unprecedented. I am yet to hear anyone who sent a message to Geoff and he never replied.”
Makhubo contracted COVID-19 in late June and was admitted to the hospital on 3 July.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described his death as a loss to the city and the province at large.
Having served in various senior positions in the Johannesburg Council and as the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Makhubo was appointed Johannesburg Executive Mayor in December 2019, a position that he served with commitment and dedication.
In a statement a few days ago, Mbulawa Mugabe, UNAIDS Country Director for South Africa, said Makhubo was also a strong advocate in the response to HIV, and on World AIDS Day 2020 he urged communities to work together to end HIV-related stigma.
“UNAIDS is grateful for his leadership and commitment to public health and to the HIV response, and for his unwavering support for the Fast-Track cities initiative. Given his commitment to the urban health agenda, Mr Makhubo addressed the global Fast-Track cities conference in 2020 and was a panellist at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on AIDS Fast-Track cities side event in June 2021,” said Mugabe.
“His death is a deep loss for the HIV community and the citizens of Johannesburg.”
- Inside Politics
