Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, has paid tribute to the late Dr Soyisile Nuku (64), who passed away at an East London hospital last week, after a short illness.
He was acting head of department in the Eastern Cape Department of Education at the time of his passing.
Motshekga, together with Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade, visited the grieving Nuku family at the home of the late Dr Nuku in Stanley Nelson, Mthatha, on January 26, where she personally conveyed her condolences to the family.
She said government was appreciative of the role the late Nuku played in the education sector.
“I was very shocked to hear the news of the late Dr Nuku whom I had developed a professional relationship with, and someone I held in very high regard in the education sector, dating back to when I first knew him while serving as the district director of the Libode Education District.
“The news of his passing came as a real shock to me, as I was with him recently as we were announcing the matric results for the Class of 2023,” Motshekga told the Nuku family.
She said that she was very happy when the late Dr Nuku came out of retirement to take the role of Eastern Cape Department of Education acting head of department, adding that he has left an indelible mark in the education sector.
“We have gained a lot from him, and I wish to thank you for sharing him with us,” Motshekga told the Nuku family.
In April 2023 Dr Nuku came out of retirement, having accepted Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane’s call for him to serve as an Acting HOD in the Department of Education, a position he held until his untimely departure.
Mabuyane said Nuku was instrumental in leading the Eastern Cape Department of Education administration which recently celebrated the unprecedented 81.4 percent matric pass rate.
“We want to convey our deepest condolences to the family. Dr Nuku was also family to us. He was a patriot. When he left the service and we called him back, he did not hesitate.”
“He came in with a plan and made sure that the department moved forward, because he was fit for purpose. We know that age was not on his side, but I was looking forward to having him longer for the sake of stability in the department.
“His passing is devastating, but may his soul rest in peace,” said Mabuyane.
Two memorial services were held in his memory, one in East London’s Abbortsford Christian Centre on January 30, and another at Bhekizulu Senior Secondary School in Libode on January 31.
Dr Nuku’s funeral service will be held in his home village of Misty Mount in Libode tomorrow, February 2.
