FORMER MP GUNDWANE DIES

SITEKI – Former Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Gundwane Gamedze is late.

His sudden death, after a short illness, sent shockwaves among  the people of Siphofaneni and close acquaintances, who took to social media to mourn the former legislator and businessman’s demise. His brother, Richard Gamedze, confirmed the death yesterday afternoon but asked that the family be given a chance to meet and issue an official statement. It was established that Gundwane  died while admitted to Sithobelweni Clinic yesterday. Though some said he died from a sudden heart attack, this could not be immediately confirmed by the family yesterday. Worth mentioning is that in May last year, the late former MP was nominated during the by-elections at Siphofaneni Inkhundla but declined to stand, citing that he was not well and currently nursing an illness.

He further mentioned that his old age would stand in the way of effectively representing the people of Siphofaneni. Eventually, the by-elections were won by Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane, wife to former MP Mduduzi ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane. Former Deputy Senate President Ngomyayona Gamedze, who is his close relative, also confirmed the news and mentioned that he was on his way to meet the family. “My brother has died. I am going down to Siphofaneni to get more details about his death. I knew that he suffered a heart attack, of late. I will get more information when I reach home,” he said.

House of Assembly Speaker Petros Mavimbela, who doubles as MP, said he had been informed about the sad news. The Speaker described Gundwane’s demise as shocking, considering that he was one of the MPs entrusted to lead the people of Siphofaneni for four terms, consecutively, together with Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo. He also pointed out that the late Gundwane was a respectful person, who was the Parliament’s encyclopedia when it came to issues of Parliament caucus. The Speaker further sent his condolences to the family, relatives, MPs, Siphofaneni constituents and the nation for the loss. “We are so shocked about his death as he was an old ox, who trained us on parliamentary issues. He has always embraced respect and is one human being who was loved by the people, hence he served four consecutive terms in parliament,” the Speaker said.

Meanwhile, Lobamba Lomdzala MP Khumalo described the late Gundwane as a humble, respectful, unsophisticated and a good gentleman during his time in Parliament. MP Khumalo said sometimes he felt that Gundwane was too honest for politics. He recalled that the deceased shared a lot of moments when they were both elected and won elections in 2008, mentioning that he told him he would choose a car that was similar to the one he would buy. “He told me to do all the paperwork and he would just sign. Indeed, his brand new double cab Ford Ranger was delivered to my home, where it spent its first night. Even after he left Parliament, I would make it a point to pass by his home whenever I was driving through Siphofaneni. We referred to each other as Mnaketfu (brother) not by the usual Parliament decorum of Mhlonishwa (Honourable),” he said. The Lobamba Lomdzala legislator said the country and the nation had lost the first gentleman of politics, while he personally lost a brother and friend. “A gentle giant has fallen. May his soul rest in paradise,” Khumalo said.

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