The Deputy Speaker in the provincial legislature, James Jim "JJ" Skhosana, was laid to rest on June 20 after his death the previous Tuesday.
Skhosana had first been a teacher at Sekmisa Primary School.
He then became a ward councillor in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality where he was eventually elected as mayor.
During his tenure, Skhosana was robbed at gunpoint at his home; the assailants forced him into their vehicle and dropped him off near Kwaggafontein A.
This did not deter the ANC politician. He went on to serve on various portfolio committees in the National Assembly as well as the provincial government.
He is one of the few legislators in the country who have served in all three spheres of government, namely parliament, provincial legislature and municipal council.
Several members of the provincial legislature, including the MEC for human settlements, Speedy Mashilo, attended his funeral.
Mashilo spoke about Skhosana’s impact on the province’s politics. In a statement, the ANC described Skhosana as a freedom fighter who was committed to “building a better life for all”.
At the time of his passing, Skhosana was also serving as a Chair of Chairs, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and a Chief Whip of the majority party. It is unclear at this stage what the cause of death was.
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