Port Elizabeth - Eastern Cape MEC for Education Mandla Makhuphula has died - a day before his 58th birthday, Premier Noxolo Kiviet's office said on Monday.
"The late MEC died at an East London hospital in the early hours today after a long illness," her office said.
"He served the people of the Eastern Cape with integrity and ethical leadership."
Kiviet expressed her condolences to Makhuphula's family and colleagues.