The education sector is mourning the death of Free State MEC Tate Makgoe, who will be remembered for building a legacy that positively impacted education. Ensuring the province produces the best matric results in South Africa formed the core of this.
Messages of condolence were received from across various sectors after Makgoe (59) died in a road accident that also claimed the life of his bodyguard WO Vuyo Piet Mdi (50), while the driver Pule Nkopane survived with severe injuries.
The accident occurred on the N1 near Winburg when the car they were travelling in collided with two stray cows in the early hours of Sunday (03/05).
The University of the Free State (UFS) has expressed its shock regarding Makgoe’s death. He had a strong relationship with the university.
The relationship saw collaboration on numerous projects between the Free State Department of Education and the university. These include the Internet Broadcast Project from 2012 to 2022, which was aimed at supporting Gr. 12 learners and teachers.
Makgoe was a UFS council member while serving as a representative of the Free State Premier for two terms, from 1 November 2010 to 31 December 2018. He was also a member of the UFS’s executive committee of council during his second term.
“We are proud to have been associated with MEC Makgoe. Not only in his capacity as MEC, but also as alumnus,” said Prof. Francis Petersen, UFS rector and vice-chancellor.
“He held an honours degree in Commerce from the UFS and was registered for a PhD in Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the university at the time of his passing.
“In 2013, he received a Cum Laude Award during the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony.”
Petersen said through their collaboration and his leadership, it was possible for the Free State to achieve top results in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations since 2019.
The funeral services of both Makgoe and Mdi were yet to be announced at the time of Express going to print.
