Tribute to the late Acting Director-General of the GPG

The Acting Director-General of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), Mr Thabo Masebe, passed away very suddenly on 18 April 2022. The Executive Director of the GCRO, Mr Rashid Seedat, a former colleague of Mr Masebe, paid tribute to him at the GPG official memorial service held on 21 April 2022 at the Sci-Bono auditorium in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Good Morning, Sanibonani, Dumelang.

Programme Director, thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

My greetings to members of the family who are present today, Director-General of the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, Gauteng Heads of Department and everyone present. I think I should introduce myself. I worked in the Office of the Premier as the Head of Planning for about ten years. However, since June last year, I have been working as the Executive Director of the GCRO.

GCRO Executive Director, Rashid Seedat paying tribute at Mr Masebe's memorial service.

Let me express my deepest shock and sadness at Thabo’s sudden passing. I worked with Thabo for many years as a colleague, in the Executive Management team of the Office of the Premier. I’m not sure whether any of you remember an English high school set work called A man for all seasons by Robert Bolt. It centres on the trials and tribulations of Sir Thomas More during the reign of Henry VIII.

Thabo Masebe was our “man for all seasons”. He was adaptable, versatile, honest, principled, multi-skilled and enjoyed life. It was these qualities that I observed of him as an activist in the 1980s and 1990s, and while doing his various government stints in Gauteng and the Presidency. Thabo was a communicator par excellence: he handled media briefings and interviews in a clear and non-defensive manner.

During his time here in Gauteng, we were confronted with some of our most difficult challenges including the Life Esidimeni crisis, the Charlotte Maxeke fire and the Covid-19 pandemic. As our chief communicator, he dealt with these crises with a profound mixture of empathy, clarity and honesty.

As a member of the Executive Management Team of the Office of the Premier, I remember Thabo as an insightful, thoughtful, and strategic person when confronted with complex matters. It was these qualities that, no doubt, prompted Premier David Makhura to appoint him as the Acting DG upon the departure of DG Baleni for the Presidency. Thabo was also passionate about his past time. He was an ardent golf player, known as a wine connoisseur and closely followed Formula 1. He was indeed our Man of All Seasons!

My deepest condolences to his colleagues, friends, comrades and especially his beloved family. He will be sorely missed by all. Hamba Kahle Thabo!

Left-right: Rashid Seedat (Executive Director, GCRO), Matilda Gasela (HoD, Gauteng Department of Agriculture & Rural Development), Ncumisa Mnyani (HoD, Gauteng Provincial Treasury), Edward Mosuwe (HoD, Gauteng Department of Education), Yoliswa Makhasi (Director-General, Department of Public Service and Administration).