Skuta Alfred Mtsi[2] (c. 1950–1951  – 12 July 2020) was a South African politician who served as the mayor of Buffalo City, South Africa. Prior to his mayoral tenure he served as a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and later served as the Speaker of the Buffalo City council before his death.

Alfred Mtsi
Speaker of the Buffalo City council
In office
2016 – 12 July 2020
Mayor of Buffalo City
In office
June 2015 – August 2016
Preceded byZukiswa Ncitha
Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
In office
1999–2014
Personal details
Born
Skuta Alfred Mtsi

c. 1950–1951
Died12 July 2020
East London, Eastern Cape
Political partyAfrican National Congress
South African Communist Party
SpouseNolundi[1]
Children3[1]
Alma materUniversity of Fort Hare
University of South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand

Early life

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Skuta Alfred Mtsi was born in c. 1950–1951 and grew up in Ncerha Village, outside of East London. He attended Hebron Primary School, Mzimkhulu Higher Primary and Gcisa Commercial High School.[2] He was expelled from school in 11th grade for attending an "illegal gathering" with 19 other students.[1]

He graduated with a Master's degree in public administration and an advanced certificate in public administration and management from the University of Fort Hare, a certificate in governance and leadership from the University of South Africa, and a certificate in advanced governance and public leadership from the University of the Witwatersrand.[2]

Career

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Mtsi became involved in politics during the Soweto uprising in 1976. In 1983, he started working for Mercedes-Benz. In 1989, he served as a shop steward of NUMSA. In 1991, he served as chairman of COSATU and served as chairman of COSATU in the Border Region from 1992 to 1993.[2]

Politics

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In 1990, Mtsi became a member of the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party.[1] He served as a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature from 1999 to 2014.[3][1]

In June 2015, Mtsi was inaugurated as Mayor of Buffalo City, South Africa to fill the vacancy created by Zukiswa Ncitha's resignation.[4] He served until August 2016.[5] In 2016, Mtsi was elected to serve as Speaker of the Buffalo City council.[6][7]

Death

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On 7 July 2020, Mtsi was hospitalized at the Life Beacon Bay Hospital in East London after contracting COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. He died on 12 July. Mtsi was the third member of the Buffalo City council to die from the disease after Zukiswa Mankayi and Gideon Norexe.[8][6]

Electoral history

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2016 Buffalo City council speaker election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
ANC Alfred Mtsi 62 68.89%
DA Jan Smit 28 31.11%
Total votes 90 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Can Alfred Mtsi save Buffalo City?". Daily Dispatch. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "PROFILE OF THE SPEAKER OF COUNCIL". Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Skuta Alfred Mtsi". Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Buffalo City Municipality inaugurates new Mayor and Deputy". 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  5. ^ "BCM mayor leaves office". South African Broadcasting Corporation. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Covid-19: Buffalo City Municipality mourns the death of Speaker Alfred Mtsi". News24. 12 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b Daily Dispatch [@Dispatch_DD] (18 August 2016). "The #ANC's Alfred Mtsi has been elected Speaker beating the #DA's Jan Smit challenge with 62 votes to 28 votes" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "BCM mayor confirms the death of 'humble, soft spoken and visionary' BCM speaker Alfred Mtsi". Queenstown Representative. 12 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.