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Dr. Vuyo Mahlati has passed away.
- Condolences have come after the death of the president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa, Dr. Vuyo Mahlathi.
- Mahlathi, who served as chairman of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s land panel, died Tuesday.
- She also served as a member of the National Planning Commission and was president of the International Women’s Forum SA.
The government has extended its condolences to the loved ones of Dr. Vuyo Mahlati, who served as chairman of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s land panel.
Mahlati, who was president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa, died on Tuesday.
“The country has lost a great visionary leader who impacted many lives, embraced challenges and has had a profound effect on the future direction of South Africa, particularly on agriculture and land.” said government spokeswoman Phumla Williams.
“His life was characterized by his passion for driving social change to improve the lives of South Africans.”
He was serving his second term as a member of the National Planning Commission.
In May 2010, she was appointed to serve as one of the inaugural members of the South African National Planning Commission for five years responsible for the development of the National Development Plan.
Williams said Mahlati’s company, Ivili Loboya, produced South Africa’s first cashmere to be created and processed in the rural Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape Prime Minister Oscar Mabuyane expressed shock at his death.
“I was stunned, shocked and shocked by the news of Dr. Vuyo Mahlati’s passing,” Mabuyane said Tuesday.
Mabuyane said that her work ethic, her entrepreneurial nature and her commitment to the progress, development, growth of the province and the country inspired him to appoint her to his advisory team.
READ | Ramaphosa promises to empower more black farmers
“As an enterprising South African, Dr. Mahlati assisted us in the development of our province by diligently sharing her wisdom, insights that contribute to the work of building the Eastern Cape province that we love.
“We appreciate his contribution and commitment to programs to improve the lives of the people of our country and we send our gratitude to his family,” he added.
SowetanLive reported that Mahlathi died early Tuesday after an undisclosed illness.
The Agriculture, Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Portfolio Committee learned of his death on Tuesday morning.
“It is a profound loss not only for the agricultural community, but for South Africa as a whole,” said Inkosi committee chair Zwelivelile Mandela.