On Wednesday, 24 January 2024, the Eastern Cape Department of Education received the sad news of the passing of the Acting Head of Department, Dr Soyisile Nuku.

Dr Nuku joined the Department as an educator and moved up the ranks to the position of Deputy Director General until his retirement in July 2021.

Due to his vast experience and passion for education, Dr Nuku was recalled to the department in April to assume the role of Acting Head of Department.

He immediately brought the department together and set plans and structures in place to sustain the gains the department made over the past few years and to improve and strengthen areas that the department did not do well in.

He departs at a time when the ECDoE finally attained a pass rate of 81.4% in the matric results for 2023 academic year, which is a history making achievement since the dawn of democracy.

The education sector has lost one of the renowed educationists of the province who dedicated his life for the betterment of the children.

He was a compassionate, motivating and selfless leader and we salute the contributions he made in the education field and in the other portfolios that he held.