‘A beacon of integrity’: Tributes pour in for Kimi Makwetu
South Africans have reacted with sadness to news of outgoing Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s passing. Makwetu succumbed to lung cancer in hospital on Wednesday, 11 November 2020, at age 54.
“It is with great sadness and shock that we announce the passing of auditor-general Kimi Makwetu this afternoon. Mr Makwetu passed away in hospital. He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in June 2018,” read a statement from Makwetu’s office.
Social media has been awash with messages of condolences and tributes, many remembering him for his commitment to clean governance.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has hailed Makwetu for serving the nation with distinction in his post.
“We mourn the passing of the outgoing Auditor-General KimiMakwetu. For the past 7 years he served with dignity and excellence,” the party said in a statement.
“We salute Makwetu’s service to his country and trust that his legacy will leave a lasting impression on all public servants”
Member of the Good party, Brett Herron paid tribute saying:
“South Africa lost a beacon of integrity & accountability with the untimely passing of our Auditor-General, Kimi Makwetu. We salute him for his unwavering commitment to clean governance without fear or favour. Our condolences to his family and friends”
Mkhwebane: Kimi Makwetu was ‘a model servant of the public’
Meanwhile Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has also paid tribute, saying Makwetu would be remembered for shining the spotlight on deep rooted governance problems plaguing the public sector.
Mkhwebane has described him as a model servant of the public, who demonstrated unparalleled selflessness in the manner he discharged his duties even when he was battling a dread disease.
Also reacting to the news was Mkhwebane’s predecessor, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, who expressed sadness over his passing.
“Shocked beyond words by the untimely passing of outgoing (Auditor-General) Kimi Thembekile Makwethu. Heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues and friends. May his great soul RIP,” she tweeted.
Makwetu was appointed to the post by then president Jacob Zuma in December 2013.
He started his career with Standard Bank and later worked at Nampak. Makwetu completed his articles at Deloitte where he progressed to senior management before joining Liberty and Metropolitan Life in Cape Town.
He moved to Gauteng in 2003 where he worked at Liberty Life before returning to Deloitte as a director in the firm’s forensic unit.
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