Mr. Tate Makgoe, the former Education MEC of the Free State Province, was a passionate and dedicated education leader. His untimely passing in a tragic accident in March 2023 has left a void in the education sector in South Africa.
Born in 1956 in the Free State Province, Mr. Makgoe obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Free State and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of the North. He started his career as a teacher at Tseki Secondary School in Qwaqwa, where he taught for several years before being promoted to various leadership positions in the education sector.
In 1994, Mr. Makgoe was appointed as the Head of the Department of Education in the Free State Province. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education in the province. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Free State School of Nursing and the Free State Education Training Institute.
In 2004, Mr. Makgoe was appointed as the Education MEC in the Free State Province, a position he held until his passing. Under his leadership, the province achieved remarkable progress in education. The province consistently achieved above-average results in the National Senior Certificate examinations, and the number of schools offering Grade 12 increased from 236 to 316.
Mr. Makgoe was also a champion of inclusive education, and he advocated for the rights of learners with disabilities. He established special schools and resource centers for learners with disabilities, ensuring that they have access to quality education.
His contribution to the education sector in South Africa was recognized by the National Department of Education, which awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Mr. Makgoe's passing is a great loss to the education sector in South Africa. He was a visionary leader who believed that education is the key to unlocking the potential of every child. He will be remembered for his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of education in the Free State Province and South Africa as a whole.
Accident Photos Provided by Tshepo Moime