Radebe was a colourful character who left an indelible mark wherever he went

THABISILE KHOMO

KwaZulu-Natal struggle stalwart, Deputy Speaker of the KZN Legislature and former MEC Dr Meshack Radebe, who died on Saturday, decorated his legacy in colourful paintings that will see his name standing out even when beyond the grave.

This is according to the provincial Premier Sihle Zikalala who described Radebe as a peacemaker and dedicated government worker.

“We have lost a peacemaker par excellence and a great servant of the people.​ We have lost a person who believed in reconciliation. We have lost a person who believed in service delivery.

“What set Dr Radebe apart from many who also believe in these attributes is that he also actively worked in pursuing peace and stability, actively worked hard in pursuing reconciliation and dedicating his life to service delivery,” he said.

According to a media statement issued by the premier’s office, Dr Radebe died on Saturday after a short illness.

Dubbed ‘Umkhumbi wokunethezeka’ because of his dedication to the delivery of services especially to the poor and other vulnerable groups, Dr Radebe is said to have played a​ pivotal role in bringing peace between warring factions of the ANC and IFP in Mpumalanga Township, near Hammarsdale where he also lived back in the years.

“For this work he, together with his late IFP counterpart Sipho Mlaba, were recognized by the University of Natal and were both awarded honorary doctorates.

“Dr​ Radebe was honoured locally and internationally for his work both in peace-making initiatives and also for his lifetime of service to the people of KwaZulu Natal and by extension the rest of the country,” said Zikalala.

Details for his funeral have not yet been announced.