The Nelson Mandela Foundation has learnt with great shock and sadness about the untimely passing of the outgoing Auditor-General of South Africa, Ntate Thembekile Kimi Makwetu. We would like to express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues as well as the many South Africans who put their faith in his diligent work as Auditor-General in the past seven years.
During his tenure as the Auditor General, Ntate Makwetu helped reveal the challenges our government faces in all its spheres, by exposing poor financial accountability, failure to deliver services and the neglect of the poor. His ability to raise the alarm where poor governance raised its head while inspiring confidence about what was possible of our institutions remains a rare trait.
As the third Auditor-General of our country since democracy, Makwetu led this chapter 9 institution with impeccable integrity, dignity and diligence.
Reacting to the news of his death, the Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang said “We have lost an exemplary civil servant who cared deeply about his country and his profession. During his visit to the Foundation, he reminisced about how he was appointed as the Auditor-General on the day Madiba died, 5 December 2013. He was inspired by Madiba’s diligence and servant leadership.”
“He demonstrated his love for his country and solidarity with the poor when he and his team rallied together to raise funds to support the Each 1 Feed 1 initiative to help ensure that families have food during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Hatang.
On 30th September 2020 the staff of the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) donated to the Each 1 Feed 1 initiative by handing over a cheque of R 295 131 to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Although Makwetu was serving his last days as Auditor-General as having completed his tenure, his passing remains a great loss for South Africa. He had recently been appointed at the United Nations Independent Advisory Committee, a role he was to take up post his tenure as Auditor-General.
As a way to pay tribute to this distinguished South African may we walk in his footsteps and lead with integrity, accountability and principle. May his soul rest in peace.
[ENDS]
Media Enquiries:
Luzuko Koti
Spokesperson
+27 (0) 82 994 0349