Inkatha Freedom Party President Velenkosini Hlabisa has described the passing of their National Youth Chairperson, Mthokozisi Nxumalo, as a huge loss to the party. The 32-year-old was also a member of the National Assembly.
Nxumalo died in a car accident on Sunday night at Nongoma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Messages of condolences continue to pour in for the IFP’s youngest Member of Parliament.
On Monday, social media was abuzz with South Africans reacting with shock at the news of his death. The slim, usually neatly dressed politician was described by members of other parties as a humble and dedicated youth leader.
He became an active member of the IFP’s student wing Sadesmo while he was studying at the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
In July 2019, he was elected chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade. In the same year, he was deployed to the National Parliament by his party. Nxumalo had served a little over two years as a Member of Parliament.
During this time, he served on the Portfolio Committees for Public Works and Infrastructure, as well as Higher Education, Science, and Technology. In January he was appointed as the IFP’s Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly.
IFP Youth Brigade National Secretary Mlungisi Mabaso says Nxumalo had unique leadership skills.
“Mthokozisi was a prominent leader who had very unique leadership skills. He listened to people and how he engaged in politics, he was never personal, he focused on politics. He loved the youth of this country. I remember during June 16 we celebrated in a different way because we conducted a two-day workshop, he was leading a discussion around how we can change policies so that we are able to uplift and make sure that the young people of this country are involved in economic activities.”
Nxumalo leaves behind his mother, fiancée and two children.
