President Jacob Zuma has extended, on behalf of the Cabinet and Government, heartfelt condolences to the family of former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Sicelo Shiceka, who passed away this morning in the Eastern Cape, after a long illness.
Mr Shiceka was appointed Minister of Provincial and Local Government in 2008 to 2009, before being appointed as the Minister of the newly reconfigured Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2009, a position he held until 2011.
Prior to these positions, he served as a Member of Parliament in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. He was also a member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee, since 2007. Before being appointed to Cabinet, he was a Member of various Parliamentary Committees, including Public Service, Land and Environmental Affairs, Security and Constitutional Affairs, Defence, as well as Ethics and Members Interests.
Mr Shiceka made an immense contribution to the development of provincial and local governance in South Africa. He also played a key and visible role in the transformation of local government especially with the development of the local government turn-around strategy that was adopted by Cabinet in 2010 and being implemented currently. When President Zuma created a new Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2009, Mr Shiceka took to the job with gusto, working tirelessly to establish the new department and turning it into a fully functional department.
“We will especially miss his energy, as he was a remarkable hard worker and his impact was greatly felt in the Local Government turnaround strategy as well as his contribution to the struggle from the early 1980s”, said President Zuma.
“On behalf Government and the people of South Africa, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends. May they be strengthened in this moment of challenge”, said the President.
May His Soul Rest in Peace!
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