Community members around the province are shocked about the sudden death of well-known businessman and community builder Mr Ducksy “Madala” Mukhondo (63). He died at the Tshilidzini Hospital last Wednesday.

Mukhondo was a former secretary of the Foundation for Business Consumer Services (Fabcos) and when he passed away, he was president of the African Business Connection (Abcos) and the owner of taxi services.

Mr Oberd Mukhondo, Ducksy’s borther, said that the family had accepted the loss, although it was difficult cope. The family described Ducksy as a “brave businessman, who was helping up-and-coming businesspeople. He was always loyal to the community and to his fellow businesspeople, they said.

Mr Gilbert Muofhe, former Vhembe manager of Fabcos, described Mukhondo as a man who had a strong passion for development in business. “His death is a sad loss for the business and residents of Limpopo. We have lost a fatherly figure, a great man who had a vision to transform the business industry. During his tenure, he spearheaded a number of developmental projects, which were worth emulating by other businesspeople.”

One of his friends, Mr Edward Mbadaliga, said that Ducksy was a distinguished person who strived for the development of his community until his last day on earth. He said Mukhondo was a father, a mentor, an icon of hope, a role model and a true leader. He was a visionary, a manager, an organizer and a trustworthy human being whose desire to serve his community motivated him to work hard. As an individual who had the interests of his community at heart, Mukhondo had initiated countless developmental initiatives around Vhembe, he said.

He will be buried on Sunday at Tshikwarani. The service will commence at the Muduluni Community hall at 07:00.