{"id":45636,"date":"2024-01-25T16:22:28","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T14:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/eastern-cape-department-of-education-acting-hod-dies-after-a-short-illness-20240125-2\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T08:44:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T06:44:00","slug":"eastern-cape-department-of-education-acting-hod-dies-after-a-short-illness-20240125-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/eastern-cape-department-of-education-acting-hod-dies-after-a-short-illness-20240125-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Cape Department of Education acting HoD dies after a short illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Eastern Cape<br>\nPremier Oscar Mabuyane has expressed sadness following the untimely passing of<br>\nDr Soyisile Nuku who was Eastern Cape Department of Education Acting Head of Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Nuku<br>\npassed on yesterday [January 24] at the age of 64 in an East London hospital<br>\nfollowing a short illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe was an<br>\nastute administrator who started off as an educator and moved up the ranks to<br>\nbe a principal. He left the classroom to join the administration corridors,<br>\nserving in various management positions including as a Deputy Director General<br>\nbefore he retired,\u201d read a statement issued by Mabuyane\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The late Dr<br>\nNuku has been described as a seasoned public servant, whose commitment and<br>\npassion for education had been evident throughout his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In April<br>\n2023, Dr Nuku came out of retirement, having accepted Premier Mabuyane\u2019s call<br>\nfor him to serve as an Acting HOD in the Department of Education, a position he<br>\nheld until his untimely departure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last<br>\nyear, he has been instrumental in leading the Department of Education<br>\nadministration which recently celebrated the unprecedented 81.4% matric pass<br>\nrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Premier<br>\nMabuyane has lauded Dr. Nuku\u2019s contribution in the education sector in the<br>\nprovince,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>describing<br>\nhim as a patriot who stayed true to his calling and left an indelible mark in<br>\nthe provincial administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He has on<br>\nbehalf of the Eastern Provincial Government and the people of the province<br>\nconveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues Dr<br>\nNuku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want to<br>\nconvey our deepest condolences to the family. Dr. Nuku was also family to us.<br>\nHe was a patriot. When he left the service and we called him back, he did not<br>\nhesitate. He came in with a plan and made sure that the department moves<br>\nforward because he was fit for purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe know<br>\nthat the age was not on his side, but I was looking forward to having him<br>\nlonger for the sake of stability in the department. His passing is devastating<br>\nbut may his soul rest in peace,\u201d said Mabuyane.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has expressed sadness following the untimely passing of Dr Soyisile Nuku who was Eastern Cape Department of Education Acting Head of 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