Thembi Mthembu (56), the widow of a former minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has died in a Pretoria hospital. A family member, Buyi Mthembu, confirmed Thembi’s passing, but said further details could not be divulged at the moment as the family was still to meet. The cause of death is unclear, but it has been reported that she had not been well for the past couple of weeks.

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Jackson died in January 2021 of Covid-19-related complications at the age of 62. He was laid to rest in his home town of eMalahleni. Thembi had worked as a nurse at local clinics. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) secretary, Simon Hlungwani, said not only is her loss a blow to the Mthembu family, but it is a serious setback to the nursing profession, particularly in the primary healthcare services area where she was a key role player.

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“She was a member of Denosa in good standing. She has left her mark on the nursing profession and has had a great and positive impact on the health outcomes of many communities. She had worked in many clinics in Mpumalanga. She had recently moved to the Tshwane District where she was working in one of the clinics when she passed. “Denosa wishes great strength to sister Thembi’s family at this trying time. She served the nursing profession and the vulnerable of our society with great dedication and selfless care,” said Hlungwani.