KSD mourns former mayor Sipho Ngcobo

King Sabata Dalindyebo is mourning the death of former mayor Sipho Ngcobo, who died in an East London hospital on Monday.

His youngest son, Mso, told the Dispatch his father had been undergoing kidney dialysis for almost a decade after being diagnosed with diabetes.

Ngcobo, 71, first served as a councillor in the now-defunct Mthatha council in 1986 before being appointed mayor of the same institution in the late 80s.

He stayed part of the council throught the transitional local council era and joined the new council after the formation of KSD municipality.

In 2006 he was elected KSD mayor.

Ngcobo served as head of the finance portfolio committee until the 2016 local government elections.

KSD municipal spokesperson, Sonwabo Mampoza, on Thursday described Ngcobo as a humble leader, a good listener and someone willing to take advice.

“He had a passion for the community of KSD, especially on issues of development. I remember when I joined the municipality's communication department, he was one of the councillors who welcomed me with open arms,” he said.

Mampoza praised Ngcobo as a visionary leader, saying he had played an immense role in crafting many of KSD's policies on finance, as well as the municipality's indigent policy.

“His experience was invaluable,” he said, adding the death was not only a loss to the Ngcobo family but to the entire KSD.

Mso said his father was a principled man and a disciplinarian, but blessed with a warm heart and a great love for people.

“We are devastated as a family,” he said.

ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi expressed sadness at Ngcobo's death and also praised his humility.

He said Ngcobo was a pillar of strength in the re-establishment of ANC branches and served diligently in many leadership positions at branch level.

“He was consistent as a councillor and was able to combine his political work with accountability to those people he served as a councillor,” he added.

He will be buried in Mthatha on February 8.