Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, who is also ANC Women’s League President, described the late Free State Health MEC Fezi Ngubentombi who died in a car crash, as a generous and loving person.

Ngubentombi along with her VIP Protection Officer, Bena Motaung, died on the scene after a car they were travelling in crashed into an overhead bridge and caught fire on December 1. Another bodyguard and Ngubentombi’s youngest child survived with serious injuries.

Addressing thousands of mourners at the Zamdela Stadium in Sasolburg in the Free State this past Saturday, Motshekga said Ngubentombi was a hard working individual who was always willing to help others.

“Not only did she share her love, her time but also her resources. We established a good relationship with her to an extent that she knew which perfume I wear. We even exchanged gifts with her because she was very generous. Words are not enough to describe you Fezi. Words feel inadequate to express the sadness we feel about Ngubentombi.”

Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi commended Ngubentombi for turning around the health department in the province and said her passing had stunned all her friends and comrades.

“Various speakers had their manner of describing what Ngubentombi was and perhaps what she was not. She was calm, loving, very sweet, multi-talented, selfless and extremely hard working. I speak with conviction that all the MECs within the Department of Health who worked with her will agree that her sense of responsibility can only be described as legendary,” said Motsoaledi

Speaking at the funeral service, Motsoaledi said there had been a significant improvement in the state of the provincial health department and facilities.

“It is going to be very tough for the province to find someone who will fill the big shoes of Fezi,” cautioned Motsoaledi.

Free State premier Ace Magashule said Ngubentombi was prepared to learn and this enabled her to perform well in the challenging position of Health MEC.

“We have lost a great MEC who dedicated her life to helping people of this province and the country. The last thing Fezi did in this world was to visit a 72-year-old sick granny suffering from cancer in QwaQwa after the rally in Charles Mopeli stadium before leaving to Bloemfontein where her life ended. She prayed for the granny to recover from her sickness,” said Magashule.

Magashule said Ngubentombi was a forgiving person who deserves to be forgiven.

“I believe that nobody is perfect in this world and so was Fezi. She might have wronged some people in the past but it does not mean she cannot be forgiven. I would like to request to everyone, who she might have wronged to forgive Fezi so that her soul can rest in peace,” said Magashule.

Tripartite alliance leaders, ANC leaders, fellow MEC’s and religious leaders also paid tribute to Ngubentombi and praised her for dedication to public service and passion for the upliftment of the poor.

Meanwhile, at the funeral of Motaung in Bloemfontein on Sunday, Free State MEC for Police, Butana Komphela, promised that there will be no investigation to establish the cause of the accident.

He said the late Motaung was an experienced driver, therefore no foul play was suspected.

“The first thing that is done under such circumstances is to ascertain competency, and this has been promptly established. I do not think there will any inquiry of any sort. It is just a matter of accepting that one of the most equipped protectors of our province happened to be involved in an accident. We have no reason to suspect foul play.”