Christo Botha’s political legacy honoured

KZN DA contingent visits late Deputy Mayor Christo Botha's home in Richards Bay

May 21, 2026

Conelia Harry 2 minutes read

The late City of uMhlathuze Deputy Mayor Christo Botha was a servant of the people, treated all with equality and always went the extra mile to bring solutions to service delivery concerns.

This was the overarching message on Friday when a KZN DA contingent descended on Richards Bay to visit the uMhlathuze Municipality leadership as well as Botha’s family, to pay their respects.

ALSO READ: uMhlathuze Deputy Mayor Christo Botha dies

The level of dedication and service to the community set by Botha will be the legacy his party and political peers he served alongside in the coalition will take forward.

“He was a problem-solver and was at the forefront of resolving many issues, from electricity and trucking concerns, to roads and ensuring the city maintained its cleanliness,” said DA KZN Provincial Leader Sithembiso Ngema.

Sharing a message of support at Christo Botha’s home in Richards Bay is DA KZN Provincial Chairperson Dean Macpherson (far left), Public Works MEC Martin Meyer and Botha’s lifetime partner Zane Ostreline, with local leaders

DA Provincial Chairperson Dean Macpherson brought messages of support and condolences from the party’s provincial and national structures, and sympathised with Botha’s family, the local community, the city and the wards, who expressed a deep loss by the deputy mayor’s passing.

“The outpouring of tributes and messages of support show what an impact the deputy mayor had on the community he served,” said Macpherson.

ALSO READ: uMhlathuze deputy mayor hospitalised

City Mayor Xolani Ngwezi praised the efforts of Botha, adding that he was a councillor who was dedicated to serving others above himself.

Political legacy

“He was instrumental in helping Council contribute to economic growth and job creation,” said Ngwezi.

“Through working with the DA and leading his caucus, we were able to amend the land disposal policy under the city development because it was not attractive to investors coming into the City of uMhlathuze.

“Our land disposal policy is now one of the best; Cllr Botha leaves us with the legacy of the City of uMhlathuze as an investment destination.”

Ngwezi said the coalition government in uMhlathuze remained one of the most stable in the country.

uMhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi (far left) shares fond memories of the late Deputy Mayor Christo Botha

He said condolence booklets would be made available across various municipal offices for members of the public to leave messages, which Botha’s family can go through as he impacted many in the city.

“We will be guided by the family and the DA regarding funeral arrangements, and officials will be dispatched to assist with the necessary preparations from the city,” said Ngwezi.

Botha’s partner, Zane Ostreline, thanked the delegation and the wider community for the outpouring of support.

“Christo lived his dream daily when he entered politics,” he said.

“There were many late nights and long days, but he was a problem-solver who always thought outside the box with creative solutions to solve people’s problems.

“He wanted to make a difference, and he will be dearly missed. We will continue the work as a tribute to his legacy.

“In his younger days, he served as deputy mayor in Nelspruit, and his life came full circle when he became deputy mayor of the City of uMhlathuze,” said Ostreline.

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