By 
JOHANNESBURG — In a moving tribute to one of Gauteng’s most dedicated public servants, Acting Premier Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the funeral service of former Member of the Executive Council (MEC) and serving Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (MPL), Mzikayifane Elias “Mzi” Khumalo, honouring him as an irreplaceable leader whose selflessness left an indelible mark on the province.
Addressing family members, national and provincial dignitaries, African National Congress (ANC) leadership, and mourners gathered to pay their final respects, Nkomo-Ralehoko reflected on Khumalo’s decades of unbroken service to the liberation movement and state governance.
“Honourable Mzi was more than just a politician,” Nkomo-Ralehoko remarked. “We saw him as a dependable comrade, a wise advisor, and a friend. In his own right, comrade Mzi was a giant… His premature ending has left a massive hole in our hearts and a huge gap in our provincial government.”
A Life Forged in the Struggle
Recounting Khumalo’s early life, the Acting Premier highlighted how his commitment to social justice was forged in the dusty streets and classrooms of Mohlakeng during the height of anti-apartheid resistance. Serving as Chairperson of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) Mohlakeng Branch between 1987 and 1992, Khumalo helped establish the first Student Representative Council (SRC) at Phahama Senior Secondary School. His student activism led to his detention at Krugersdorp Prison by the apartheid regime for protesting unfair school fees.
Following the unbanning of liberation movements in 1990, Khumalo emerged as a pivotal youth leader. He served as the inaugural Secretary of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Mohlakeng Branch, later becoming West Rand Regional Chairperson and spending nine years on the ANCYL Provincial Executive Committee as Treasurer and Deputy Provincial Secretary.
“He kept the faith of revolutionary consciousness,” Nkomo-Ralehoko noted, citing 2 Timothy 4:7-8. “He remained loyal not only to his family and God, but to the struggle of his people for a non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous, united, and democratic South Africa.”
A Masterclass in Governance
Tracing Khumalo’s rise through local and provincial government, Nkomo-Ralehoko described his career as a “master-class in governance”. Beginning as a young councillor during the 1994 democratic transition, Khumalo worked across every level of public administration.
He served as Speaker and later Executive Mayor of Randfontein, subsequently becoming the inaugural Executive Mayor of the newly established Rand West City Local Municipality in 2016. Moving to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2019, he served as Chief Whip before his appointment in October 2022 as MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs, and e-Government.
In his role as MEC, Khumalo championed modern technology to expand digital public services directly to townships and informal settlements. Following his cabinet tenure ending in mid-2024, he continued his oversight duties as Chairperson of the CoGTA Portfolio Committee. Parallel to his public roles, Khumalo was a skilled communicator who served as the official ANC Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson.
“Whenever the ANC in Gauteng needed to speak to the nation with clarity and wisdom, we turned to Mzi,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Integrity and Legacy
Highlighting his personal character and work ethic, Nkomo-Ralehoko underscored Khumalo’s unblemished integrity, humility, and dedication to lifelong learning.
“Honourable Mzi’s integrity was not questionable, neither did he have a questionable character,” she declared. “He was not the type that would come here and condemn corruption whereas he himself was corrupt. He disliked such characters.”
Looking ahead to upcoming municipal elections, Nkomo-Ralehoko stressed that South Africa urgently needs leaders modelled after Khumalo’s legacy—those who prioritize community needs over personal ambition.
Expressing deep condolences to Khumalo’s wife, Ntombi, and the broader Khumalo family, the Acting Premier thanked them for sharing him with the nation.
“Gauteng is a better, freer, and smarter province because Mzi Khumalo lived and served it,” she concluded. “Rest in peace, Comrade Mzi… Your work is done, and we will carry the banner forward.”
