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PHUTI MOSOMANE
FREE State Education MEC Tate Makgoe and one of his bodyguards were killed in a horror car crash in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Makgoe’s official vehicle is said to have collided with three cows in Winburg, according to the Free State premier’s spokesperson Sello Dithebe.
Dithebe said emergency personnel responded to an incident and on arrival at around 1:30am found that a light motor vehicle hit two cows and three occupants were trapped.
Emergency personnel used the jaws of life to get three people that were trapped inside the vehicle.
Makgoe and the bodyguard were declared dead on the scene. The driver of the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the Winburg hospital for later transportation to Bloemfontein hospital.
Makgoe joined the provincial legislature in 1994. Throughout his career, he become an MEC of Agriculture, Finance and later Education.
Premier Mxolisi Dukwana said the government of Free State was saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Makgoe.
“Makgoe improved the overall quality of education. This is a big blow to us, to the people of Free State. He became a life-long learner,” Dukwana said.
Dukwana said officials visited the accident scene: “It was a horrific accident, and two cows were hit.”
Basic Education Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said since 2009, Makgoe took education in the province to the highest level.
“We recieve the sad news of his passing. ‘Mr Simply the Best’ said really wanted every child to succeed. He loved economics and would at times teach learners,” said Mhlanga.
SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke also paid tribute to Makgoe.
“This is a man who showed a great commitment, invested more in Grade R and quality education.”
He said Makgoe was a “simple and easily accessible man” who treated education as an enabler, supported teachers, a person who did not enjoy just being in the cameras.
Maluleke said Makgoe instilled a spirit of teamwork and supported teachers in the Free State province.
Makgoe understood that Apartheid dispossed black Africans of education, and he was therefore driven by the fact that a black child must recieve quality education to undo that legacy.
Department of Higher Education spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said Makgoe worked very hard to serve his people.
“Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande sends condolences to Makgoe family, friends and the entire Free State province for the ultimately passing of MEC Makgoe,” Mnisi said.
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