Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu will be fondly remembered for his courage, empathy, loyalty, sense of humour and depth of knowledge of the struggle for freedom in South Africa.

These were the words of resident coordinator and head of the United Nations in South Africa Nardos Bekele-Thomas.

Mthembu (63) died on Thursday, from complications related to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Inkatha Freedom party caucus team representative Mkhuleko Hlengwa said Mthembu will be remember for uniting political parties in Parliament.

Hlengwa noted Mthembu’s ability to  ensure that all political parties’ voices were heard.

Mthembu, who hails from Witbank, joined the ruling African National Congress (ANC) at a young age.

During the 1980s, Mthembu had been jailed, accused of treason.

The ruling ANC said Mthembu will be remembered for the critical role he played in the mass democratic movement, including his role in the United Democratic Front and the ANC underground. The party said Mthembu’s entire life was to ensure a better South Africa.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor noted that Mthembu was a hard worker who had served the ANC all his life. She stated that the party had lost an icon.

Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president Floyd Shivambu said Mthembu was among the few incorruptible leaders in government.

“He was one of the most dedicated and principled political leaders. He was not always blown by the wind, he always stuck to principle. We are not saying these things because he has passed away. While he was a Chief Whip, under his guidance, we were able to build a consensus amongst political parties to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for [land] expropriation without compensation. Amongst his legacies, is the fact that South Africa is going to expropriate land without compensation,” Shivambu remarked.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said Mthembu was a man of his word and noted that Mthembu was the only ANC member to suggest that the whole National Executive Committee step down when former President Jacob Zuma was accused of corruption.

Business Unity South Africa CEO Sipho Pityana said Mthembu was a son of the soil, who had shown great courage by standing firm on the need to act against Zuma in extremely difficult circumstances.

“We salute him for that. He was, in many ways, almost larger than life. An animated conversationalist with the power of persuasion, always committed to doing the right thing and accepting responsibility, and a role model for anyone embracing the vital concept of leadership with integrity,” he expressed.

The South African Communist Party will remember Mthembu as a product of the South African struggle for liberation.

“Mthembu was well known as a hardworking, principled and incorruptible member of our movement,” the party said.

Meanwhile, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said Mthembu will be remembered for his unassuming character and for being a people’s person.

“He exuded humility and dedicated himself to his work without reservation. He served both the ANC and the people of South African with integrity and unrelenting devotion,” Nehawu stated.

The South African Local Government Association noted that Mthembu was the driving force of government's communication response to Covid-19, and added that he had carried out the duty with integrity and high distinction.

The South African Human Rights Commission suggested that South Africans honour Mthembu by religiously observing Covid-19 safety protocols.

The African Transformation Movement echoed the call for South Africans to honour Mthembu by observing and adhering to all lockdown regulations, to beat the virus.