Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) has paid tribute to its inaugural executive mayor, Mzikayifani ‘Mzi’ Khumalo, reflecting on his contribution to the municipality and the communities he served.

Khumalo died in the early hours of August 10, following a short illness.

He served as executive mayor of Randfontein Local Municipality from 2015 to 2016 before becoming the first executive mayor of the newly established Rand West City Local Municipality. At the time of his passing, Khumalo was serving as chairperson of the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on COGTA.

Rand West City Executive Mayor William Matsheke described Khumalo as a ‘towering leader’ whose contribution to the region and its communities would be remembered for generations.

• Read the initial article here: Former Rand West City mayor Mzi Khumalo dies at 54

“We have lost a monumental figure in our region and in our municipality. Mzi Khumalo was a servant of the people who contributed immensely to improving the lives of our communities through his visionary leadership, wisdom and commitment to public service,” said Matsheke.

The municipality extended its condolences to the Khumalo family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives were touched by his service and leadership.

RWCLM said Khumalo’s legacy would be remembered particularly for his role in laying the foundations of Rand West City after the municipality’s establishment.

His tenure as the municipality’s inaugural executive mayor marked an important period in the formation of the newly established local authority, and the municipality is now reflecting on his contributions during that time.

Khumalo’s passing has left RWCLM mourning one of the leaders who played a significant role in the municipality’s early years.