Minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has died of Covid-19 related complications.

Jackson Mthembu (5 June 1958 – 21 January 2021) was the Minister in the Presidency of South Africa's government, and parliamentarian for the African National Congress (ANC). Previously, he served as the Whip of Parliament for the ruling ANC and as well as the national spokesperson for the ANC. He served as the MEC  for Transport in Mpumalanga from 1997 to 1999, during which he was criticized for spending R2.3 million on ten BMWs. He passed away early on Thursday, 21 January 2021 due to COVID-19 related complications.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement on Thursday that Mthembu died earlier that morning.

“Minister Mthembu was an exemplary leader, an activist and lifelong champion of freedom and democracy. He was a much-loved and greatly respected colleague and comrade, whose passing leaves our nation at a loss.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the Minister’s family, to his colleagues, comrades and many friends,” he said.

Mthembu was married to Thembi Mthembu. He has six children. One of their children, 25-year-old Nokhwezi Mthembu committed suicide on 20 March 2019 at their Pelican Park parliamentary village home in Cape Town. Mthembu was born in Ackerville, Witbank, Emalahleni Local Municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. His mother was the late Gogo Nantoni Mthembu who died at the age of 79 on 25 February 2018. Gogo Nantoni was buried during a funeral service attended by deputy president David Mabuza who thanked her role in raising a political figure like Jackson. Rest In Peace Minister Jackson Mthembu.