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News Archive March 2010 Farewell to great leader
News Archive March 2010 Farewell to great leader
| Farewell to great leader |
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| Friday, 26 March 2010 |
The head of the Top Six Taxi Organisation, Sipho Mtambo, was hailed for being a role model with vision, one who spoke with great wisdom, at a memorial service.
HAMBA kahle Mr Mtambo – “may your spirit continue to inspire one and all”, said the member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, at the memorial service for the president of the Top Six Taxi Organisation. 
The City's mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, says farewell to taxi leader Sipho Mtambo
“He was not a man of many words, but he was a great listener, and when he did speak, he spoke with wisdom, understanding and compassion,” Moosajee said, adding that she had lost a father in Mtambo. She also conveyed her condolences to the Mtambo family, the Top Six Taxi Organisation and the taxi industry in general. Members of the organisation, the BRT Steering Committee and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance were at the service, along with the Top Six Taxi Organisation Women’s League. Dressed in green and white uniforms, they sang songs to comfort the family and to celebrate Mtambo’s life. LEADEREvery person who attended was given a white T-shirt that had on it a picture of Mtambo and the words, “Top Six President, a charismatic and visionary leader in the taxi industry”.One speaker after the other talked about Mtambo as a peace loving man who had possessed great wisdom. He was also described as a humble man who had respect for everyone. His son, Dumisani Mtambo, described his father as a man who had loved his family and was committed to serving both in the family and in the organisation. 
In memory of 'a great leader'
“He was a great leader in his organisation and as the T-shirts say, he was a charismatic and visionary leader even at home.” Executive Mayor Amos Masondo also sent his condolences to the bereaved family and the taxi industry. “Mr Mtambo was a pioneer in the taxi industry who, for many years, played a leading role in shaping the South African transport sector,” Masondo said in his statement. “He was among the first leaders in the taxi industry who, at an early period, recognised the potential that a Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] holds for the people and the city of Johannesburg.” Rea Vaya, as Joburg’s BRT is known, is a public transport system that aims to combat congestion and improve the quality of public transport. It uses dedicated lanes on selected roads for high-tech public buses. TRANSFORMATIONMasondo also commended Mtambo for being a committed supporter of transformation in the transport industry. He had played a valuable role in the planning and implementation of Rea Vaya, especially through the BRT Steering Committee, where his experience, strategic insight and input had added value.The leader had stuck to his convictions despite threats from splinter groups in the taxi industry and violent attacks directed against members of his association. Mtambo was born on 18 July 1939 in Newcastle; he moved to Joburg in the late 1950s. He passed away on Saturday, 20 March after a short illness. Mkhulu, as Mtambo was affectionately known in his family and the taxi industry, has been part of the public transport industry for more than 50 years. He was the founding member of the Top Six Taxi Organisation. The organisation was established in April 1997 and two years later, Mtambo became its chairman, according to Babu Maharaj, a friend and a colleague. He was once a chairperson of the Gauteng South African Black Taxi Association and held various other positions in the industry, including serving as an executive member of the National Taxi Alliance. “Sipho was regarded as one of the mentors in the taxi industry and was involved in the handling of many disputes in the taxi industry, not only in Gauteng but in the whole of South Africa,” Maharaj said. “We have lost a very respectful, sober-minded and very humble man.” The funeral will be on Sunday, 28 March at Diepkloof Hall, in Soweto. The service will start at 9am and leave for West Park Cemetery, in Emmarentia at 11am. Related stories: |
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