By Thys Khiba – Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana described the late Chemical Engineering graduate, Dr Tate Makgoe – who has served in the Free State Legislature for 29 years – as a well travelled political administrator.
“Makgoe has, from an early age, devoted his life to the disadvantaged and marginalised in order to fully realise the objectives of the true political transformation and the total eradication of grinding poverty,” said Dukwana.
ANC Free State Provincial Chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana delivering closing remarks at the party’s Lekgotla on Monday.
In 1994 until 1996, Makgoe served as the member of the executive council (MEC) for Finance in the province.
In the following year of 1997, he was the MEC for Tourism and Environmental Affairs until 1999.
He became the MEC for the department of Agriculture in 1999 until 2003.
In the early 2000s, Makgoe became a Chair of Chairs in the provincial Legislature in 2001 until 2004.
With almost ten years as the member of legislature, in 2004Makgoe was announced as the new MEC for Public Safety, Security and Liason.
After leaving the Public Safety portfolio in 2005, he became the MEC for Finance until May 2009.
This is the year [2009] he was appointed as MEC for Education until his untimely death.
Dukwana described the passing on of Makgoe – who died in a car accident on Sunday- as a big blow to the province and the entire country.
“This is indeed a big blow to the Free State province and the entire country.
“Comrade Tate demonstrated that he cared for education and he demonstrated that in his CV that you need to be a lifelong learner,” said Dukwana.
The provincial Emergency Services (EMS) personnel responded to an accident outside Windburg on the N1, earlier this morning 05 March 2023 at about 01:30am.
The crew discovered a light motor vehicle which collided with 3 stray cows.
Regrettably, three occupants became trapped inside the vehicle as a result.
Reports confirm that the personnel used the jaws of life to unbound the occupants and unfortunately, 2 which includes Makgoe were declared dead on the scene.
“Regrettably, MEC Makgoe and one male Protector, Warrant Officer Vuyo Mdi, were identified as those declared dead on the scene.
“The one male driver of the vehicle, Warrant Officer Pule Nkopane, remains in a critical condition in a Bloemfontein hospital,” said Spokesperson to the Premier Palesa Chubisi.
While sending a message of condolences to the friends and family of Makgoe, Dukwana desired Makgoe as a selfless servant of the people.
“As the Free State provincial government, we would like to send our condolences to his family.
“We would also like to extend our condolences to the people of the Free State, the country at large as well as the education sector,” said Dukwana.
Dukwana and other political leaders went to visit the bereaved family of Nkopane.
“Makgoe, throughout his life, believed in the vision of a better life for all.
“He was driven by the quest for the total eradication of poverty and underdevelopment, especially through his deployment as MEC for Education, were he catapulted the province to top status as the best performing school for consecutive years,” said Dukwana.
At the time of his demise, Makgoe was a Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Commerce graduate who was enrolled for his PhD in Leadership in Education with the University of the Free State (UFS).
The Free State MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe has been conferred the Chancellor’s Excellence Award by the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) for his ‘sterling’ leadership excellence and ‘immense’ contribution to the advancement of education and changing lives.
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