MKP Member of Parliament Nkosentsha Shezi died on Monday.
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Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has paid tribute to the late uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Member of Parliament, Nkosentsha Shezi.
Shezi, 50, who was a staunch backer of Gumede while still an ANC member, passed away on Monday after an illness.
In a short statement, Gumede said she was shocked to hear about Shezi’s death and wished him a peaceful rest.
“Ngethuke kakhulu, angathi angalala ngoxolo umfokaDlaba (I was shocked, can his soul rest in peace),” said Gumede.
Shezi’s longtime comrade and friend, Carl Niehaus, who is currently an EFF Member of Parliament, also paid a tribute to Shezi, describing him as a brother.
Writing on his X page, Niehaus said that through all the political turmoil, their beautiful personal bond never faltered for a single moment because they understood each other’s respective political decisions very well.
“I am heartbroken. I lost my brother today. Shezi was truly my brother and comrade. I never had a biological brother, and Shezi fully took that place. My heartfelt condolences go out to Nkosentsha’s beloved wife Thule, their children, and family,” said Niehaus.
Shezi became the face of radical economic transformation in KwaZulu-Natal and supported former president Jacob Zuma during his court appearances.
On the day of Zuma’s arrest in July 2021 in Nkandla, Shezi and Niehaus addressed the media outside the Zuma homestead, blaming the country’s justice system.
Before leaving the ANC, Shezi started his political activism in the party’s Youth League and moved on to serve as a branch leader of the South African Democratic Teachers Union in KwaMashu, north of Durban.
Because of unhappiness with Zuma’s treatment by the ANC, Shezi left together with Niehaus to join the EFF. While Niehaus remained in the EFF, Shezi left and joined the MKP and was subsequently appointed as a Member of Parliament, a position he held until his death.
In its statement of condolences, the MKP said Shezi served the people of South Africa with commitment, humility, and unwavering loyalty to the cause of social justice and the upliftment of the poor and marginalised.
“We have lost not only a patriot and public servant, but also a comrade whose contribution to the struggle for dignity, equality, and transformation will remain etched in the history of our organisation. His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt by his colleagues, constituents, friends, and family,” read the statement.
The party’s KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Provincial Secretary, Shirley Willemse, said the funeral date will be announced soon.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za