Message of condolence on the passing of Cllr. Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor of CoJ
Councillor Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, passed away on Friday, 9 July 2021, from Covid-19 related complications. He served the city as the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance during the 2011-2016 term of office; as leader of the opposition in council following the 2016 local government elections; and then assumed mayorship after political realignment of 2019.
During his term, he committed the administration to address the service delivery challenges that confronted the city and worked tirelessly to confront the Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged the city, and the province as a whole.
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is a partnership between the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the University of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Provincial Government and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Gauteng aimed at providing research on the Gauteng city-region. The City of Johannesburg is a key stakeholder of the GCRO both as the largest city in Gauteng, and indeed, in South Africa as a whole.
Professor Saurabh Sinha, Chairperson of the Board of the GCRO said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Councillor Makhubo, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg. Councillor Makhubo’s significant role as Executive Mayor and his vision had been one of the enablers for the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO). We will deeply miss his contribution. We express our condolences to his family and close associates.”
“We are shaken by deep sadness and feel the excruciating pain of losing Mayor Makhubo. I send my heartfelt condolences to the wife, Mrs Dikeledi Makhubo, children, close relatives, friends and comrades of Mayor Makhubo,” Gauteng Premier Makhura said.
The Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee of SALGA stated: “May his distinct contribution and dedication to local government service delivery always be remembered. Lala Ngoxolo!”
May he rest in peace.