Government Communications on passing of former government communicator Mr Mbulelo Musi

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is deeply saddened by the passing of former government communicator, Mbulelo Musi. 

He served in many roles in government including, the head of communications: Defence and Military Veterans, and as spokesperson at the Department of Social Development in 1999. He was also the former head of communication at the Department of Provincial and Local Government, what is now known as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

He strongly believed that it is the mandate of government to serve, to the best of our ability, everyone equally. Mbulelo was actively involved in the struggle to attain democracy and was one of the fortunate survivors of the brutal 1981 Matola raid, where apartheid security forces attacked ANC safe houses killing 13 people instantly. In 2021, forty years later he relived the raid and wrote piece published in The Sunday Times, titled Mbulelo Musi, a survivor.

Acting Government Communication and Information System Director General, Michael Currin said: “I have no words to express the depth of my sadness hearing of the passing of Mbulelo Musi, one of the greatest of a generation of founding government communicators. Mbulelo was not only a remarkable strategic communicator, but a great mentor and counsellor to many communicators, myself included. I will forever be indebted to him for his contribution over many years to our work and our liberation as a country.”

Mbulelo was a seasoned government communicator who was very passionate about his work. He was active in all communication areas and grasped every opportunity to highlight the work of government. Mbulelo was an experienced writer and he often penned opinion pieces on government policies. He purposed his life around caring for others, especially the military veterans as he always said that they carry the traumatic experiences they endured in exile. 

Following his public service, he continued to serve military veterans by championing their cause, and at the time of his passing he served as the Spokesperson for the uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans. Mbulelo Musi is an unsung hero who fought valiantly for the freedoms we enjoy today in South Africa. 

Enquiries:
Michael Currin – 082 462 7896