The people of Naledi Local Municipality continued to mourn the passing on of its Mayor, Cllr. Neo Skalk, at a memorial service held at Vryburg’s Naledi Banquet Hall, on Thursday, 07 October 2021. Cllr Stalk tragically lost his life in a head-on collision on the N14 outside Vryburg on Sunday, 3 October 2021.

Colleagues, comrades, and community members in attendance at the memorial service shared amongst each other memorable moments, lessons and dreams that they shared with the Mayor. This somber occasion hosted by Naledi Local Municipality, in conjunction with the Dr. Ruth S. Mompati District Municipality and other relevant stakeholders, saw the attendance of various dignitaries from Provincial, District, and Local levels. “Mjavela” as he was affectionately known amongst his peers was described as a Leader who was always amongst his people. He is said to have ,amongst his achievements as a Public Servant, played a key role in the integration of the local taxi association, Naledi Municipality Taxi Association (NAMTA). Recently, the mayor was seen working closely with the association, seeing to the prevention of the nationally described Insurrection of widespread Looting, that took the country by storm, from occurring in the Naledi Local Municipality area.

Mayor Skalk rose to prominence in politics in 1983, when he was arrested with other chief organisers of student protests at Bopaganang High School. He was subsequently found guilty and was banned from enrolling at all schools in the Vryburg District. Following these events, his comrades fled the country to join the Military wing of the African National Congress, uMkhonto-We-Sizwe. These include Tebogo Kebotlhale and Khotso Khasu. He is one the longest serving Councillors of the ANC since the dawn of democracy.

Heading into the 2021 Local Government Election , Cllr. Neo Skalk was one of African National Congress’ Naledi Local Election Team, having recently conducted rounds of door-to-doors campaigning for the upcoming elections in November. He is described by his comrades a mayor who was never unfamiliar or non-relative amongst the community. Mayor Stalk, a gentle giant, hailed by his comrades and community members for supporting those in need and for consistently being the cheerleader a better municipality.

Premier of the North West, Bushy Maape, in statement delivered on the day of the untimely passing of the Mayor, said the passing of Mayor Neo Skalk came as a shock to him.

“He passes away at a time when government is seeking to remodel local government, particularly the implementation of the District Development Model. He was going to be of great service in seeing to the success of this model. He was a hard worker who was dedicated at serving the people of Naledi Local Municipality in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District”. Said the Premier. Premier Maape continued on in his statement to convey his heartfelt condolences to loss that he described as a great loss to the people of Vryburg and the District at large.

Amongst condolences that continue to stream in from all walks of the Mayor Skalk’s life, The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has as well expressed shock at the sudden passing of the Mayor of Naledi Local Municipality, Cllr Neo Skalk. “His passing comes during an election period, when South Africans are about to refresh the mandate of the local government sector during the 01 November 2021 elections. He was a true servant leader, who pledged to better to lives of communities in this municipality. As such we call on all the registered voters in Naledi Municipality to continue where he left off by going out in numbers to the polls to vote the leadership of their choice and make local government work for their development.” Said the Minister, who further described this a tragic loss to the local government sector.

The Vryburg Independent Post (The V.I.P) Team would also like to convey words of condolences to the Skalk family, colleagues and comrades. It is South Africa’s Former President Nelson Mandela who said, “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” The people of Vryburg have lost something special, and we will continue to remember the memories and teachings of throughout the decades of communion and comradeship. As a Registered youth run Non Profit Organization, The Vryburg Independent Post will continue living the Late Mayor’s Dream for a better Vryburg, and District at large.

The Naledi Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr. Neo Skalk, will be bid farewell on Sunday, 10 October 2021. The official funeral service is announced to be held at Vryburg’s Naledi Banquet Hall commencing at 07h00.

-The VIP Team

-Naledi Local Municipality

-Dr. RSM District Municipality

-COGTA

-NW Office of the Premier