Government sends its deepest condolences to MEC Tate Makgoe’s family, his colleagues and friends, following his tragic passing during the early hours of Sunday morning. Government also sends its condolences to the family of Warrant officer Piet Mdi, who also tragically passed away in the accident. He served as MEC’s Makgoe’s VIP police protection officer.
Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele expressed his shock and sadness, saying, “MEC Makgoe was a visionary. He has served in various portfolios as a Member of Free State Executive Council since 1994 and was appointed in 2009 as Free State education MEC. Since his appointment, the Free State province in Matric performance became the best in the country.
The MEC will be remembered for his confidence that he displayed in the learners, in that he boldly declared in 2022 "We are destined to succeed. Nothing will stop us." That is the spirit and determination that he left behind, and one that we must embrace as government leaders.”
Makgoe is known for strategizing, identifying the gaps, and ensuring all role players, including teachers, leadership, learners and administrators. He firmly believed in raising the bar higher, and that very child has the potential to achieve anything. As such, part of the focus of his strategy to improve education sector in the Free State was on rural and township-based schools. Under his leadership, the department had also adopted chartered accountants, economists and engineers to assist township and rural schools.
MEC Makgoe is an engineering graduate from Technikon Vaal Triangle and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of South Africa (UNISA).
He later obtained an Honours degree in Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the Free State and a Master’s degree in Business Leadership from UNISA. In 1984 he left South Africa to join the African National Congress’s (ANC) military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe in exile. “He lived a life of sacrifice, was devoted to the disadvantaged and marginalised, and was passionate about eradicating poverty. He served the Free State province and South Africa with distinction.”
Enquiries:
Ms Nomonde Mnukwa
Acting Director-General of Government Communication and Information System
Cell: 083 653 748
Nonceba Mhlauli
Spokesperson to the Minister
Cell: 072 623 3462
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp