THE ECHCAC MOURNS THE DEATH OF KWAZI EMMANUEL MBATHA

EASTERN CAPE HEALTH CRISIS ACTION COALITION

6 June 2014,

THE ECHCAC MOURNS THE DEATH OF KWAZI EMMANUEL MBATHA

The ECHCAC joins many in mourning the loss of Kwazi Emmanuel Mbatha. Kwazi passed away in the evening of Sunday 1 June 2014. Kwazi served as the spokesperson for the ECHCAC and was instrumental in its formation and strengthening. We are indebted to his work, vision, energy and kindness, all of which he brought to his work with the ECHCAC.

Kwazi joined the Rural Health Advocacy Project in 2013 and became an indispensable leader in the ECHCAC. Prior to his work with RHAP and the ECHCAC, Kwazi worked for the Centre for Economic Governance and AIDS in Africa as a Researcher and Trainer. In that capacity, he worked closely with the Treatment Action Campaign.

We have lost a great activist, leader, colleague and friend. We join his partner and two children in mourning his death.

Many have sent messages of mourning and remembrance in the past few days. A few are below:

• “We mourn this great loss of a wonderful person and loving father.” Marije Versteeg-Mojanaga, Rural Health Advocacy Project, Director
• “We have lost a fighter and a great friend. This is very sad and painful. CEGAA has benefitted from Kwazi’s service since 2009, and the successes and Stories of Significant Change achieved in our joint CEGAA/TAC BMET Projects are due to his untiring efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector. He will be greatly missed by all of us at CEGAA and our partners. May his wonderful soul rest in peace.” Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Centre for Economic Governance and AIDS in Africa, Acting Director
• “It is with shock and sadness to learn about the passing away of comrade Kwazi Mbatha, Kwazi was a gallant fighter, a human rights and social justice activist. Comrade Kwazi was a fearless fighter who stood firm in his conviction. Our sympathy and heartfelt condolences goes to his family, children and all those who worked with him.” Anele Yawa, Treatment Action Campaign, National Chair
• “Kwazi was a good colleague, a comrade and a friend. He was instrumental in setting up and strengthening ECHCAC. He was liked and respected by RHAP, TAC, SECTION27 and others. He was young and alive to life.” John Stephens, SECTION27, Legal Researcher
• “Kwazi was an activist at heart and willingly fought for what’s rightfully his and on others’ behalf. Condolences to his family and children. Hamba Kahle Nkokheli.” Nombasa Gxuluwe, World AIDS Campaign
• “It is with great sadness that the Black Sash acknowledges the passing of Kwazi Mbatha, a wonderful person and dedicated human rights activist. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones – they are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May his dear soul rest in peace.” Alexa Lane, Black Sash Trust, Regional Manager
• “On behalf of RURESA, I want to echo the other messages. Condolences to Kwazi’s family. He will be missed. I found him an amazingly energetic and inspiring man, who did his work with so much persistence and thoroughness. I feel honoured to have worked in the Coalition with him.” Karen Galloway, Rural Rehab South Africa
• “Deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Kwazi Mbatha from the Association of Concerned Specialists of the PE Health Complex.” Dr Basil Brown, Association of Concerned Specialists of the PE Health Complex
• “We at CASAC are saddened to learn of the passing away of Kwazi Mbatha. We convey our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. We will continue his work to create a society in which the rights and dignity of all people is respected. Hamba Kahle Qabane.” Lawson Naidoo, Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Executive Secretary
• “On behalf of Eastern Cape Treatment Action Campaign office, this so sad, we have worked with Kwazi since 2009, he was an activist, a fighter – known by the whole province of the DoH and the TAC branches at large. We have learn a lot from him, condolences to his family, may his soul rest in peace.” Noloyiso Ntamenthlo, Treatment Action Campaign, Eastern Cape OR Tambo District Organiser

• “On behalf of PHMSA in the Eastern Cape, we would like to convey our deepest condolences to the Mbatha family and his loved ones in this hard time. His work within Eastern Cape on the struggle for health has been noticed and with his vision, we will keep the momentum going.” Lulamile Timbiliti, People’s Health Movement South Africa
• “Akwehlanga lungehliyo, Ziyofa izinsizwa zosala izibongo. It is sad news indeed and it is a great loss for all of us. Sekudala uzabalaza ulale ngoxolo Bhuti.” Patrick Mdletshe, SECTION27, Researcher

Flowers can be sent to: 128 De Waal Place, Southlands Pietermaritzburg, 3201. FURTHER COMMENT:

Nhlanhla Ndlovu
Centre for Economic Governance and AIDS in Africa, Acting Director nhlanhla@cegaa.org

Marije Versteeg-Mojanaga
Rural Health Advocacy Project, Director 0741063800
marije@rhap.org.za

Fikile Boyce
Treatment Action Campaign, Eastern Cape Provincial Chair fikileboyce7@gmail.com
0730805379