Deputy President Paul Mashatile had suspected that he suffered food poisoning a day before his collapse during N'waMitwa Day Celebrations at Valoyi Cultural Village in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Mashatile had to be attended to by his medical team and later rushed to the hospital for further medical care yesterday.
On Friday Paul Mashatile said he was sick. Felt like he had food poisoning.
— Bra Hloni (@BraHlonisky) September 14, 2024
On Saturday he collapsed while addressing crowd. pic.twitter.com/Iil1MlYNnv
HE SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING A DAY EARLIER
On Friday, before he delivered a keynote address at the Ronnie Mamoepa Inaugural Annual Lecture at Tshwane University of Technology, Mashatile mentioned to the students that he was sick a day earlier and that he suspected food poisoning. "Thursday morning I was sick; I felt like food poisoning or something. My office was very worried because, as I came back home, even in the plain, I didn't eat. They were worried whether I would be able to come, so they were already setting up a virtual platform. I called them this morning and said I was feeling much better. They said they were setting up a virtual platform, and I said I am feeling much better and I will go. God is good all the time," Mashatile said to the student, who shouted, "All the time. God is good."
RECOVERING WELL AFTER COLLAPSE
Prior to collapsing on stage, Mashatile had said he was grateful to address the Vatsonga people as they celebrated and paid tribute to Her Royal Highness, Hosi Dr N'waMitwa II, whom he describes as a trailblazer among the Vatsonga people and a beacon of female leadership in our country. 'Equally significant is that the 16th anniversary of N'waMitwa Day unites vital aspects of our democratic society. It coincides with the conclusion of Women's Month and Heritage Month's observance. It demonstrates our progress in advancing the constitutional values of gender equality and non-sexism in the country," he said. After his collapse during his speech, Mashatile was rushed to a hospital, where the Presidency said he was doing well. In a statement, Mashatile's acting spokesperson, Keith Khoza, said while delivering his keynote address, the Deputy President felt lightheaded from the heat and was attended to by his medical team. "We can confirm that the Deputy President has received the necessary medical attention and is well," Khoza said.
