By Nangamso Mabindla
5 August 2004

THE sudden death of Buffalo City's long-serving deputy mayor, Des Halley, has not only left a big void in City Hall, but also in the hearts of those who dearly loved him, said long-time friend and colleague Councillor Fudukile Mbovane.

The 49-year-old Halley died of a heart attack on Wednesday, 4 August at the City Hall in East London, just days after resigning to join the corporate world.

"He was the leader of the Buffalo Flats Residents' Association and I was part of a similar association in Mdantsane. He used to amaze us with his leadership qualities. We knew right then that he'd be destined for greatness," says Mbovane, who got to know Halley during their days as community leaders in the 1980s.

Born in Stutterheim and educated in East London, Halley was interested in economic development, finance and education issues and worked for community-based organisations until the advent of democracy.

He then became actively involved in the formation of local government structures and worked towards ensuring the success of the first democratic local government elections in November 1995.

The then East London TLC appointed Lulamile Nazo as the first mayor, but selecting the right deputy was a challenge.

Says Mbovane: "We had to think long and hard about who his deputy would be, but when we finally thought of the individual's name it had to be Des."

According to Mbovane, Halley qualified because of his knowledge, passion and love for the municipality's main stakeholder - the community.

"When we came to power we established what we called a tripartite system; the relationship between the community, business and the municipality," Mbovane says. "The community and its needs were our number one priority."

Halley also worked hard in the formation of the strong bond that exists between the city and its businesses and was instrumental in the formation of Buffalo City and its ambitions of being a metropole.

He was the chairman of the Industrial Development Zone. "He was everywhere, business, politics, community and also a family man. This loss will not only be felt by the municipality, but everyone that Des touched," Mbovane adds.

Mbovane was convinced that Halley died happy and satisfied man. "Because of all the work he had done; if he was alive today he'd tell you that he's satisfied with his efforts."

However, one of Halley's dreams was for the municipality to be granted metro status and Mbovane urged people to work together to make that dream a reality. "I wish that we all focus on making this city a metro; it was Des's unfinished business. We owe it to him," he said.

Halley is survived by his wife, Angeline, and their three children, Tellana, Kegan and Chere.