By Celani Sikhakhane
The death of the people’s doctor who died during the deadly floods in Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, has caused a stir in the communities of Port Shepstone and Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape.
Dr Sihle Lutango, 30, who was affectionately known as Mqeqe, died with two friends on the N2 between Margate and Ramsgate on Sunday afternoon after their car was washed away by floods.
They were found the next day by emergency services.
A family relative, Siyabonga, told Scrolla.Africa that Lutango had football teams in Margate, where he lived, because he loved soccer.
“He was a people’s person who was down to earth. He never thought he was special because he was a doctor. He grew up in Port St. Johns but after completing his studies at Walter Sisulu University he relocated to KZN where he was working at the hospital in Port Shepstone. He had a soccer team and he also organised a soccer tournament. He also did the same at home in Port St. Johns for his community,” said Siyabonga.
Social media was abuzz on Friday when it was announced that Lutango had died in the sudden flash floods.
Many people who knew him, including patients and colleagues, expressed their shock and said how committed he was to his duties.
Patients who saw his pictures on social media platforms posted multiple broken hearts and revealed how he went the extra mile to help them.
On Monday his mother Nosipho cried uncontrollably when she saw his body being retrieved from the wreckage of his vehicle and said that he was the breadwinner at home.
She said that Lutango understood his background and worked hard to be a better person and change his background. Lutango was raised by his single mother and his grandmother.
Port Shepstone Hospital spokesperson Phumza Marai said that Lutango started as a medical officer in 2022 and had shown determination and been a hard worker while still very young.
He will be laid to rest at Ntsila village in Port St. Johns on 4 May.
Pictured above: The “People’s Doctor”, Sihle Lutango, who died during the flash floods in Margate last week.
Image source: TikTok
