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Following the death of his wife, Londiwe Dube, and his sister, Nomasonto Mbatha, Newcastle Municipality’s Mayor Xolani Dube has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for him and his family.
Londiwe Dube, Cllr Dube’s wife, sadly passed away on Saturday, 15 January 2022, after duelling with a long term illness. “Londiwe has been in and out of the hospital since 2018, and few people know that she was hospitalised shortly after the inauguration in November 2021,” tells the Mayor.
The grief-stricken Cllr Dube mentions that he was by her side in her final moments. “I was with her, and knowing she wasn’t alone, gives me some strength.”
Reflecting on Londiwe and his marriage, Cllr Dube says that they were married for 17 years after meeting each other in Melmoth, where they had both worked at the time.
“What struck me was that she was a very humble person, who was always immaculately dressed.”
It wasn’t long after they married and started a family when he realised there was much more to Londiwe than he initially recognised. “She was a rock for me throughout my political career. Politics can drain a person’s strength, but she was always encouraging and giving me advice. She also gave me our lovely children.”
Cllr Dube adds that she also ensured their home was never without anything, all while assisting him with running his business, being a devoted wife and mother, and reaching out to those in need.
“Londiwe was an incredible woman of strength and courage,” he declares.
Cllr Dube says that if he could only tell Londiwe one thing, it would be that her legacy would live on.
“I would assure Londiwe that I will continue to work on her legacy and what she stood for. “I will also assure her that I will be a father and a mother to our children and that I will always love her.”
Speaking about his sister’s passing, the Mayor says that Nomasonto was the family’s straight shooter. “Right was right and wrong was wrong for Nomasonto. For her, there was no in-between.”
Cllr Dube explains that his mother died when he was three weeks old, and his father died when he was seven years old. This, he emphasises, resulted in his sister being extremely protective of him. “She was a nurturing and caring individual.”
As Cllr Dube grieves the loss of his wife and sister, the Newcastillian – Online News and Pixelfish Marketing extend its heartfelt sympathy to the Dube family.
Be sure to share your condolences in the comment section below.
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Condolences to the Mayor and family
Sorry to hear .The families are in my prayers May God gave them the strength in this difficult times