By: Natasha Archary
The family of late Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, has confirmed that his widow, Thembi has passed away.
Thembi died in the early hours of Thursday morning in a Pretoria hospital.
Her death comes 15-months after her husband’s died at the age of 62, from Covid-related complications in January 2021.
While the cause of death is unknown at this stage, the family confirm that Thembi was hospitalised over the last few days.
She was unwell for a few weeks and had long-standing medical conditions. Thembi was admitted to hospital earlier in April.
Speaking to the media, one of the family members said her death opens wounds of Jackson Mthembu’s passing.
Thembi was a nurse at a local clinic but is remembered fondly for her unwavering support of the late cabinet minister.
She was Mthembu’s second wife and the couple were married for more than 20-years.
Mthembu married Thembi after the death of his first wife, Pinkie Selelo.
Thembi was a private person and chose to remain out of the public after the death of her husband. Jackson Mthembu’s wife was however, often photographed beside him at a number of State of the Nation Addresses.
Also read: KZN Floods: Over 300 dead and hundreds still missing



