Statement on the passing on of Honourable Alice Hlebani Mthembu, MP and member of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and its portfolio entities are deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of Member of Parliament, Honourable Alice Hlebani Mthembu in a tragic car accident on Tuesday the 26th of December 2023.
Hon. Mthembu was a valuable member of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, providing oversight and support to the Department and its portfolio organisations.
In mourning Hon. Mthembu, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Mondli Gungubele said, “The passing on of Hon. Mthembu at such a critical time, as we wrap up the sixth democratic parliament and take stock of the work that has been done in implementing our electoral mandate, leaves us in a numbing shock. It is through her constructive engagement and guidance that the Department and its portfolio entities have been able to make inroads in critical areas in bridging the digital divide, connecting the marginalised, driving financial inclusion and setting the state-owned-entities on a path of sustainability and relevance in this digital era.”
“The Department and its portfolio entities owe it to Hon. Mthembu to make the expected advances in all its flagship projects, particularly concluding the Broadcasting Digital Migration programme, one of the oldest programmes in government, through finalisation of the second step of Analogue Switch-Off and end of dual illumination by December 2024.” concluded the Minister.
The Department and its portfolio entities send their condolences to the Mthembu family, her friends, and comrades as well as her colleagues in parliament. May they find strength during this painful chapter in their lives and celebrate the strides of Hon. Mthembu.
The Department was advised that Hon Mthembu will be laid to rest on Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at her home in KwaZulu-Natal.
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