Dr. NNG

Nkululeko Ntuthuko Mahlaba was born in 1981 or 1982 and passed away on 4 July 2026. He devoted his life to the service of others — first as a healthcare practitioner, and later as a respected South African politician. A committed member of the African National Congress, he rose to become the party's provincial treasurer in KwaZulu-Natal and served as chairperson of the Mbuso Kubheka Region, once known as eMalahleni.

Dr Mahlaba's public service career saw him appointed to the provincial executive, where he led the Human Settlements and Public Works portfolio with integrity and purpose. He later took on the portfolio of Sports, Arts and Culture, serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal with the same dedication until June 2024. Before his provincial responsibilities, he led the Newcastle Local Municipality as executive mayor from 2019 to 2021, leaving a lasting imprint on the community he loved.

Born and raised in Nkande Village, Nquthu, he carried the values of his community with him throughout every chapter of his remarkable journey. Those who knew him speak of his quiet strength, his unwavering compassion, and his belief that every person deserved dignity and time.

Beyond politics, he was a mentor to many, a pillar within his church, and a beloved son of the soil who never forgot where he came from. His laughter filled rooms; his counsel steadied families; his faith anchored a generation.

Dr Mahlaba is survived by a family and community whose lives he shaped in ways too many to count. His legacy will continue to walk the hills of Nkande and live on in every life he touched.