Sensible talker, flawless leader

04 April 2008 - 02:00
By unknown

Nhlanhla Mbatha

Nhlanhla Mbatha

Matthews Mbatha died last Tuesday in a car accident on the Roodepoort Road in Dobsonville, Soweto. He was 46 years old.

Mlonyeni, as he was affectionately known, lived up to his name. He was talkative - but he talked a lot of sense. He was also nicknamed "702" after a Johannesburg-based talk-radio station.

At the time of his death Mbatha was the principal at Emathafeni Primary School in Zondi, Soweto.

A founding member of the South African Democratic Teachers Union, the union at his memorial service yesterday described Mbatha as a "leader of impeccable character".

He will be buried tomorrow at the Mindalore Cemetery in Krugersdorp. A service will be held at the Adelaar Hoerskool, Mindalore, from 8am.