Mutavhatsindi is no more

Date: 20 October 2017 By: Kaizer Nengovhela

The news of the death of a former Makhado mayor came as quite a shock to many residents of the region. Cllr David Mutavhatsindi (48) died after a short illness on Saturday night at his home in Vuwani.

According to the family spokesperson, Mr Victor Phalanndwa, the untimely death of the former mayor did not only shock the ANC, but also his family, relatives and even people from outside of the country. “We have received many messages of condolences from abroad, and as a bereaved family it shows us that Mutavhatsindi was a people’s person and accommodating to everyone, irrespective of colour, race or religion,” he said.

He described Mutavhatsindi as a pillar within the family and the community as a whole. “He played the central role in unifying his relatives,” he said.

The Makhado mayor, Cllr Shonisani Sinyosi, said that Mutavhatsindi was a man of vision. “We will always remember him for his hard work, commitment and dedication,” she said. She expressed her heartfelt condolences and support to the Mutavhatsindi family. She said that Mutavhatsindi had contributed to shaping the local government system. “He was a selfless, visionary and dedicated leader of all people. He was a champion of social and economic transformation in South Africa,” she said.

Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana also said that Mutavhatsindi had been a man of vision. “We will always remember him for his hard work, commitment and dedication,” he said. “Most of the development that occurred during the time of the Makhado Municipality era was his ideas. We have lost a charismatic, disciplined and enthusiastic leader,” he said.

Mphephu also mentioned that “Mutavhatsindi was a leader who understood that as a leader, one must transcend all boundaries and represent the hopes, interest and aspiration of all people, to realize a better life.”

Vhembe Region ANC chairperson Mr Tshitereke Matibe said that Mutavhatsindi’s death came as a huge shock to him. “He still had a lot to offer the community,” he said, adding that it would be very difficult to replace him. “Mutavhatsindi was one of our comrades who understood the way in which the organisation functioned. He had vast experience and people learned a lot from him. His death is a loss to both the family and the community.”

Mutavhatsindi is survived by his wife and four children.

The funeral ceremony will begin at 06:00 at the house at Vuwani on Saturday and proceed to the Malonga graveyard.

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Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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