The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) is mourning the death of one of her leaders, Comrade Mzamani Isaia Baloyi. Comrade Baloyi was the Secretary of Gauteng’s Central Region and principal of Selelekela Secondary School in Orlando East. The 46-year-old was found dead at his home in Roodepoort on Friday night. He met his death hardly two days after being elected as the chairperson of Soweto’s COSATU local branch.

SADTU has lost a dedicated and selfless leader who remained true to the first pillar of the Union’s 2030 Vision of serving members. A man of the people, Baloyi was never too busy to attend to members’ concerns, he always put them first. A vocal, energetic person and smart debater, Baloyi was passionate about transformations issues. He was a pragmatic leader who led with integrity, he initiated and led campaigns for the benefit of members. One such campaign he led in 2018 was for the removal of a district official who was trying to purge SADTU members. 

Just a day before his untimely passing, Cde Baloyi had taken part in COSATU’s nationwide strike in Johannesburg

An activist of note, he cut his teeth in politics as a student at Tivumbeni College of Education in Limpopo in the 1990’s. In recognition of his leadership skills, he was elected as president of the SRC in 1996. When he began his teaching career, SADTU became his union of choice and later served as secretary of Orlando East Branch for two terms. In 2018, he was elected as the Regional Secretary of the Central Region. 

We express our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and the Selelekela Secondary School.

May his soul rest in peace.

ISSUED by SADTU Secretariat

CONTACT:

General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke: 082 783 2968

Deputy General Secretary, Nkosana Dolopi: 082 709 5651

Media Officer, Nomusa Cembi: 082 719 5157