‘A scholar and a patriot’- Motshekga pays tribute to union leader

The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has added her voice to those in the fraternity mourning the loss of the president of the National Teachers’ Union (NATU) Allen Thompson.

He is believed to have succumbed to COVID-19-related complications on Monday, 4 December 2021.

“We would like to formally inform you that our president, Mr SA Thompson has passed away. Further details will be furnished in due course. May his soul rest in peace,” Natu is quoted as saying in a short statement.

Motshekga: Teachers’ union leader gave his time and soul

Motshekga has remembered Thompson for his contribution to the education sector. She has expressed shock and sadness over his death and described him as more than just the president of a teacher union.

“In October I shared a stage with him in Newcastle at a NATU ceremony. That event will remain forever etched in my mind. Amongst others they had families of their members who had perished from COVID 19 and a moving ceremony indeed. Thompson gave of his time, talent and soul. I shared a lot of ideas with him on different matters with matric rewrite as the latest matter I shared views with him on. With Thompson we had a scholar and a patriot,” the minister said.

Motshekga said the industry would miss Thompson as a leader who truly put the interest of the learners and teachers when engaging on matters affecting basic education.

Motshekga’s deputy, Reginah Mhaule, also reacted to his death and expressed condolences to Thompson’s friends and family.

“His passing is a really a sad loss especially because he was young and I believe he had a long life ahead of him. He still had a lot to contribute,” she said.

Mhaule has further urged South Africans to continue to strictly adhere to the health and safety protocols in order to prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19 especially in social settings such as funerals, parties and to avoid mass gatherings.

In 2018, Thompson heroically survived an assassination attempt, when he was shot through the window of his car and hit in the shoulder by assailants. Despite his injuries, Thompson managed to drive himself to hospital and recovered to continue his work at the union.