By Kaya 959 News
Khaya Xaba, the national spokesperson for National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) passed away on Sunday morning.
Xaba, an avid Twitter user, tweeted on 1 June 2021 about his COVID-19 diagnosis.
COVID-19 Alert: if you saw or spoke to me in the past 7 days please get yourself tested or quarantine. I have also informed the manager of Mandisi Dyantyis who am I took photos with on Saturday night.
— Peter Pleasure 🇵🇸 (@chedetachment) June 1, 2021
He then posted again on 6 June that, “COVID is no joke”. The union confirmed that Xaba succumbed to COVID-19 complications.
Covid is not joke. Wash your hands, sanitize and avoid crowded place. Protect yourself and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/5MRgblQnlk
— Peter Pleasure 🇵🇸 (@chedetachment) June 6, 2021
38-year-old Khaya Xaba was a member of the Young Communist League of South Africa. He joined Nehawu as a communications officer in 2016.
READ: SA Is technically in the third wave
With the atrocities of apartheid Israel, Xaba was in recent weeks publicly vocal about his support of the Free Palestine movement. According to a statement from Nehawu, he was not new to the protests.
“Cde Xaba as an activist with an internationalist orientation was also highly active in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel for a Free Palestine,” reads the statement.
NEHAWU dips its banners at the passing of its National Spokesperson, #KhayaXaba and will send details of the memorial and funeral service as soon as they are available.
NEHAWU says “lala ngoxolo Nonkosi, Shwabada, ugqatso ulufezile” #HambaKahleKhayaXaba pic.twitter.com/BRlLKhqD6h— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) June 13, 2021



