The Gauteng Legislature, this morning, learned with great sadness of the passing of Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Honourable Joe Mpisi, following a sustained period of illness.

A people’s servant at heart, Hon. Mpisi hailed from a working class family that has always committed itself to the liberation of South Africans from the three-fold struggle of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Having served as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) for almost a decade, he was appointed as an MPL in 2014 and served as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Hon. Joe Mpisi was later moved to the Portfolio Committee on Finance as its Chairperson. After the reconfiguration of Committees informed by the changes in the Executive, Hon Mpisi became the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education.

Though he showed signs of ill health, he always demonstrated commitment to his work as Education Committee Chairperson, and ensured that the Committee fulfilled its mandate of holding the Department of Education accountable in its duty to provide quality education to Gauteng learners.

Hon. Mpisi’s political consciousness was triggered at the age of 16 when he became a student activist. He participated in township struggle activities led by the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) and the African National Congress (ANC).

In 1980 he joined the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) where he was subsequently elected into various positions of the Gauteng Province – including that of Provincial Chairperson.

His passing comes when Gauteng and South Africa at large desperately need leaders of his calibre and moral fibre, who will find solutions to challenges confronting the country.

On behalf of the GPL Community, I wish to extend sincerest condolences to his family, friends and his political homes the ANC and SACP.

Details of the memorial service and funeral will be shared upon consultation with the family.

INFO SUPPLIED BY GPL.