Mtshotshisa: a man of many talents and academic dreams

He wanted to turn his lifelong passion for SEK Mqhayi into a PhD thesis

- ANDILE NDEVU

THE late South African ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Zolani Mtshotshisa was a unique man of numerous talents.

He was born in Duncan Village in 1958 and grew up in Mdantsane in East London before moving to Johannesburg at a later stage of his life. His name features prominently on the Wall of Heroes at Mzomhle High School, where he excelled not only in academia but sport, particularly rugby.

Alongside the likes of Wandile Kese, Humphrey Maxhegwana, Bangumzi Sfingo, he was among the politically active youth during the 1976 uprising Black Consciousness Movement. He went into exile and later swelled into the ranks of the ANC. The ANC sent him for training in Germany, where he also obtained a degree in social Marxism from the University of Leipzig, a town which, quoting Goethe, he called "ein Klein Paris", little Paris. He also had a Master's degree in mass communication and an MSc in International Relations from University of Zimbabwe.

Post-1994, Zizi, as he was affectionately known, became involved in several activities, an executive at Mvelaphanda cooperation, a pioneering black empowerment company started by Comrade MJapan (Tokyo Sexwale). Passionate about transformation, Zizi also became its Group Executive: Enterprise Development, Corporate and Public Affairs. He also served on several company boards including as director of Group Five construction firm, where he also sat on its risk and remuneration board committees.

Despite holding the demanding role of South Africa's ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Zizi made time and shared his wisdom with the rank and file.