the memorial service for the late Siphamandla Mbambo, Director: Monitoring and
evaluation, KwaZulu-Natal office of the Premier, held at the Pietermartizburg
City Hall on 19 July 2007
We are gathered here today in memory of a young life snatched from us and
his loved ones in its prime. Last week, while on an official trip to Japan, we
received the shocking news of the sudden death of the young Siphamandla Mbambo,
on Wednesday, 11 July.
As we mourn his death today, we remember a young man of incredible
brilliance and talent who had just begun to make his mark in contributing to
the development of his people as head of Operation Mbo, the pivotal provincial
programme aimed at the geographic integration and co-ordination of services to
optimise service delivery to the poorest of the poor of our province.
By all accounts, Siphamandla Mbambo had shown outstanding leadership
qualities in whatever position he was deployed in government.
Gifted with a sharp and brilliant mind, Siphamandla performed with
distinction while acting as head of the monitoring and evaluation component of
the office of the Premier.
We mourn the loss of a young man who had a scintillating academic background
in Law and belonged to prestigious societies of his chosen profession.
Even though Siphamandla's passing was a natural one, it is a sad loss for
society when a young man in the process of completing his doctoral thesis in
his chosen field dies.
As I have said before, his passing on is a loss for both the provincial
government and the people he had chosen to serve.
Siphamandla could have easily opted for better-paying jobs in the private
sector. Yet he chose to serve and ensure the upliftment of poor communities
through dedicated service to their government.
We join his loved ones in grief as we prepare to lay this young man to rest
on Saturday. And though we grieve, we also take the opportunity to commemorate
a life well lived.
Few people of the deceased's age have achieved as much as he, both
academically and professionally. He undoubtedly had a bright future ahead of
him.
But, in the words of acclaimed author Erma Bombeck: "When I stand before God
at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of
talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me." That, we would like
to think, Siphamandla would like to say wherever he is as we commemorate his
memory.
To his loved ones here with us today, we say Siphamandla's was not a wasted
life, he lived his life to the full. We say in your grief you should be proud
of having had such a big man even though of small physical stature, as part of
your lives. Your loss is also a loss for the province and country.
May his soul rest in peace
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
19 July 2007
