Mzikayifane 'Mzi' Khumalo, the Gauteng spokesperson for the African National Congress, died Monday morning [2, 3].
Khumalo was a senior figure within the party's provincial leadership, serving as a primary communicator during a period of political transition in Gauteng.
The death occurred on Aug. 10, 2026 [2]. Reports indicate that Khumalo collapsed at his home before being rushed to a hospital in Gauteng province [2, 3]. He was 54 years old [1]. Medical officials have not disclosed a specific cause of death.
Khumalo held several high-profile roles within the South African government and the ANC. He previously served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), a position he was appointed to in 2022 [1]. In that role, he managed the intersection of provincial administration, and local government oversight.
Most recently, Khumalo served as the spokesperson for the Gauteng ANC task team. This role placed him at the center of the party's strategic communications and provincial coordination. His death marks the loss of a veteran administrator with deep ties to both the party's organizational wing and the provincial executive.
The ANC said it is mourning the loss of the senior member [2]. Colleagues said he was a key figure in the Gauteng political landscape, a role he maintained throughout his tenure in the provincial government and the party leadership.
“Mzi Khumalo died after collapsing at his home and being rushed to hospital”
The loss of Mzi Khumalo removes a seasoned administrator from the Gauteng ANC at a time when the party is managing complex provincial governance. Having served as both a MEC and a spokesperson, Khumalo possessed a rare combination of executive experience and communication expertise, leaving a vacancy in the party's strategic leadership in South Africa's economic hub.
