“Today we remember him for serving the City the best way he could. He was a man of his word and strongly believed in doing active ground work.”
That is how the programme director and Acting Chief Operations Officer for the City of Johannesburg, Tshepo Makola, kicked off proceedings during a virtual memorial service for Executive Mayor Cllr Jolidee Matongo today. He said Mayor Matongo dedicated his short life to serving the people of Johannesburg.
The former MMC for Finance, Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe, said Mayor Matongo always put people first. She said he was committed and when he led the City briefly, he made memorable changes and differences.
“The Mayor had an out of office energy. An energy to serve people. My heart and everything inside me refuses to internalise that our beloved Mayor is gone. He was so much more than just a comrade and colleague. He was a friend to me and uncle to my children.
“I was with the Mayor on Saturday, a mere 30 minutes before I received the devastating call about his untimely death. I will remember Mayor Matongo for he not only criticised when needed, he also guided so many of us to do better.
“The last conversation we had last week Saturday was about one of his milestones to resolve the electricity issues in Soweto. Can we please honour his wish and continue with our efforts to resolve this problem?”
Mayor Matongo was also a Methodist and a regular churchgoer on Sunday mornings. He had a great sense of humour and a passion for dancing.
Acting City Manager for the City Floyd Brink said: “As a City we’ve been robbed of a humble leader, a hard worker and colleague who led from the front, middle and back too. Let us extend Cllr Matongo’s brief but lasting legacy by continuing to accelerate service delivery among the residents of the City of Johannesburg.
“The best among us is no more. Fortunately he left his footprint all over the City’s seven regions. Colleagues, let’s pick up our shovels and serve the residents. That’s all Cllr Matongo ever asked for.”
Group Chief Financial Officer of the City of Johannesburg Manenzhe Manenzhe also paid tribute on behalf of the City staff members. “The Mayor was a jolly good fellow. I call him a legend because this was a man who understood what is was to be a servant. He was not here to collect a salary, he was here to serve. This was not a job for our Mayor it was his calling to serve the City and that is how I will remember him.”
“Mayor Matongo left us in a much better financial state and has implemented many changes,” said Manenzhe.
Deputy Regional Secretary of the South African Municipal Workers Union Thobani Nkosi also expressed great sadness during this time. “On 9 September, we had a progressive meeting with the Mayor and during the meeting we looked to the future and saw a bright future in what we had discussed.
“However, as things stand now the progress that has been put in place will be put hold but we believe the new leader will not shy away where our late Mayor has paved a way.” –
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
23/09/2021