Siya completed his Matric at Nombulelo High School in 2001. He also attended the Gadra Matric School and received a Merit Award for English. He joined Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 in 2006 as a Laboratory Assistant, working for The Mobile Science Lab under Ms Rhona Duncan and Ms Cheryl Craig. Before his appointment as a Technical Officer in the department, he acted in the post for a year in 2010. On 01 March 2011 Siya was permanently appointed as the Technical Officer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Siya loved to sing and was very good at it! He was a member of the Grahamstown Police Choir and the Masakhele Youth Choir. He received various awards, including Gold Medals for his participation at the ECAPOMA Music Festival and the Grahamstown Music Eisteddfod. In 2015 he conducted the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Staff Choir at the Inauguration of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela. Siya leaves behind his wife Zovuyo and their two children Mbalentle and Simosihle Zola. A funeral service will be held at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre on Friday 18th February 2022 at 10:00.
Tributes from some of Siya’s work colleagues follow.
"Siya and I pretty much both started our permanent careers in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the same time". Ms Candice Roux recalls the special bond that formed between her and Siya, having worked closely together for the past 11 years. "Siya was a kind-hearted person, always willing to help and eager to learn new things. I could always count on him and will forever remember his smile and his laugh".
Mr Rubber Ndzengu remembers Siya as a generous, humble person that showed respect to all his colleagues and peers. Prof. Martin Hill fondly remembers that at his job interview, Siya had the shiniest shoes he had ever seen.
Ms Liesl Knott remembers that Siya always had a magical smile and a very positive disposition. He hungered for knowledge, pushed himself to learn more and was eager in his self-development. The one thing he always made time for was his choir practice. “Siya is now an eternal songbird and I pray for peace and comfort to all who knew him and will miss him. I think of the words in the poem Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats – Now more than ever seems it rich to die, To cease upon the midnight with no pain, While thou art pouring forth thy soul abroad In such an ecstasy! Still wouldst thou sing, and I have ears in vain – To thy high requiem become a sod. Thou wast not born to death, immortal Bird!
May your gentle soul rest in Heaven’s Glory!