MEC for Public Works, Mr Pandelani Ramagoma (52), died in a vehicle accident outside Louis Trichardt on Monday. He was on his way to Polokwane.

Ramagoma and his driver, Insp Richard Netshandama, died on the N1 near the Lalapanzi Hotel, after Netshandama lost control and hit a bridge. The accident occurred at about 06:30.

According to the Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Supt Ronél Otto, Netshandama lost con-trol of the car and crashed against a bridge barrier. “Ramagoma was flung out of the car and killed instantly, before the car caught fire,” she said. She added that the police were now continuing with investigations. “A case of culpable homicide had been opened and the investigation still continues,” said Otto.

Ramagoma was a member of the ANC´s Limpopo provincial executive committee and chairperson of the provincial SACP in the province. He was appointed MEC of Public Works four months ago by Premier Cassel Mathale.

According to Mathale, Ramagoma distinguished himself as a “truly selfless person. He has left a huge void too difficult to fill,” he said, when expressing condolences to Ramagoma´s friends and family. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during these difficult moments. We have learnt with sadness and shock about the un-timely death of our freedom fighter,” said Mathale. Ramagoma is survived by his wife, five children, five siblings and his mother.

Nicknamed ´Sparks´, Ramagoma was “a humble and yet robust ideologue,” who was important to the rebuild-ing of the party, the SACP said in a statement.

“We have lost a disciplined cadre of our movement, a dedicated communist and a true hero of our people,” Limpopo SACP members further acknowledged. They added that “Ramagoma placed maximum unity of the organisation in each and every debate and organisational ac-tivity he partook in.”

Ramagoma was on his way to attend a government function at Moutse, where Premier Mathale was addressing a community meeting. Deputy Speaker of the Legislature Matodzi Ramadwa and the Makhado Mayor Mavhugu Luruli were also at the scene of the accident. “What has happened shocked us. Really, we are running short of words. I was on my way home to Madombidzha and when I arrived I just saw the car and stopped. Un-fortunately, I recognised that car. Death has robbed us,” says Ramadwa.

Ramagoma also served as the HOD in the Local Government and Housing Department and as the provincial coordinator of the 2010 World Cup. Ramagoma was the only Tshivenda speaking MEC to be appointed in Mathale’s cabinet.

As news of his death spread, tributes started pouring from all spheres of politics and government. ANC Provincial Secretary Joe Maswanganyi said the organization had lost a dedicated cadre who sacrificed most of his life to the struggle. “On behalf of the provincial executive committee, and the general membership of the ANC, we want to send out sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Ramagoma. In these trying times, our hearts go out to you.

Cope Limpopo also sent their heartfelt condolences to the family. The organization’s spokesperson, Mr Willie Mokwalakwala, said Ramagoma was a tried and tested cadre. “Ramagoma will be remembered for the role he played in transforming the public sector,” said Mok-walakwala.

The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Mavhungu Luruli, described Mr Ramagoma as a hands-on person who was committed to politics and government. The ANC Youth Leage described him as a great revolutionary who served the province with great determination during the fight against apartheid as leader of SAYCO. The Young Communists’ League in Limpopo said Ramagoma was a valiant fighter for socialism. Rev Mautji Pataki, ecumenical secretary of the South African Council of Churches in Limpopo, described him as a reliable partner.

Ramagoma was born in June 1957 in the Vondwe area, a few kilometers outside Thohoyandou. He belonged to a league of cadres who became fearless even before the unbanning of political organizations. He became very active in politics even before the dawn of the new dispen-sation.

He held the position of Cosatu Northern Transvaal regional organizer and, after the dawn of the new dispensation, held various positions in government and the ANC. He was also a former HOD of the Department of Local Government and former chairperson of the SACP in Limpopo.

Meanwhile, the accident has sparked much debate as to whether enough is being done to reduce the number of accidents on our roads.

Two months ago, the acting HOD of the Department of Local Government, Ms Mihloti Hetisani, was killed in a horrific accident on the same road on the way from a function in the Elim area. Many other acci-dents have occurred on the same road, with fatal results.

The accident happened only two weeks after it was cleansed after concerns from the public about the number of accidents in the road.

Mr Ramagoma will be buried on Saturday morning at his home village of Vondwe, outside Thohoyandou. According to the premier’s office, Ramagoma will be given a state funeral by the provincial government. It will start at 07:00. As a royal family member, Netshandama, the husband of a well-known businesswoman and a motivational speaker, Humbelani Netshandama, is to be buried at the sacred burial sites of Tshandama village on Friday afternoon.

Police investigations to determine the cause of the accident are still continuing.