The people of KwaZulu-Natal gathered today to bid a final farewell to the late Honourable Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba during a Special Provincial Official Funeral held in his honour.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, delivered the eulogy, paying tribute to a distinguished public servant, medical doctor, former mayor, former Member of the Executive Council and Chair of Chairs in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

Dr Mahlaba was remembered as a leader whose life was defined by service, discipline, humility and a deep commitment to improving the lives of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

In his eulogy, Premier Ntuli reflected on Dr Mahlaba’s journey from the community of Nkande to the highest levels of public service, describing him as a servant leader who remained rooted in the communities that shaped him.

Premier Ntuli said Dr Mahlaba carried the values of care and service from the medical profession into public life, treating democracy and governance with the same diligence, patience and fairness expected of a healer.

“A healer who chose public life is a rare and precious thing - he carried the Hippocratic oath into the chamber, and treated our democracy as he would a patient: with diligence, with patience, and without favour,” said Premier Ntuli.

The Premier said Dr Mahlaba served the people of KwaZulu-Natal with distinction in various responsibilities, including as Mayor of Newcastle, MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and Chair of Chairs.

He further noted that, as Chair of Chairs, Dr Mahlaba provided a steady hand in the Legislature, helping to ensure that democratic processes were guided by fairness, accountability and institutional integrity.

Premier Ntuli said Dr Mahlaba understood that policy was not merely about documents and procedures, but about people’s lives. He said the late leader approached law-making and oversight with the precision of a doctor, always seeking to understand the root causes of the challenges facing communities.

The Premier also paid tribute to Dr Mahlaba’s contribution to collective leadership, saying his work reflected the values of consensus-building, accountability and service above self.

“KwaZulu-Natal does not measure its sons only by titles held but by the weight of absence left behind,” said Premier Ntuli.

Addressing young people, Premier Ntuli urged them to draw inspiration from Dr Mahlaba’s life and example. He said the late leader’s journey demonstrated that young people from rural communities and townships can rise through education, discipline and service to occupy positions of leadership and make a meaningful contribution to society.

“To the young people listening today, wherever you are watching from: you are the Ntuthuko Mahlaba of the future,” said Premier Ntuli.

Premier Ntuli also conveyed heartfelt condolences to Dr Mahlaba’s wife, Dr Busisiwe Mahlaba, his children, the Mahlaba family, the Ndlovu family, colleagues in the Legislature, members of the African National Congress and all those who worked with him throughout his life of service.

He thanked the Mahlaba family for sharing Dr Mahlaba with the people of KwaZulu-Natal and acknowledged the sacrifices made by his loved ones during his years of public service.

The Premier said the Provincial Government would honour Dr Mahlaba’s legacy by continuing to treat public office as public service and by governing with fairness, humility and dedication.

Dr Mahlaba’s passing has left a deep void in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly among those who knew him as a doctor, public representative, colleague, comrade, husband, father and son of Nkande.

As KwaZulu-Natal mourns his passing, the province also celebrates a life that was fully dedicated to healing, leadership, service delivery and the advancement of the people.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of service continue to inspire hope, unity and responsible leadership across KwaZulu-Natal.