"A rare brilliant mind" and "friendly and warm" are just some of the words used by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize to describe the late Professor Bongani Mayosi.
“How does one bid farewell to such an illustrious life cut too short! How does anyone bid farewell and accept the loss of so brilliant a mind, ranking amongst the best brains that South Africa and our continent can offer the world of modern medicine.
“No tributes will suffice to commemorate a doctor who dedicated his entire life as a committed servant of our people. He was one of the rare breed of African physicians to have scaled the climax of this complex and highly technical specialist field of cardiology,” said Mkhize in a heartfelt tribute.
The cardiologist’s family announced in a statement on Saturday that Mayosi committed suicide, following a struggle with depression.
Mkhize’s tribute to the Professor comes as he too was a former colleague and alumni from the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine of the University of KwaZulu-Natal alongside Mayosi.
“Prof Mayosi was a highly revered chief specialist, a brilliant academic and researcher as well a world renowned cardiologist. He was respected both as a clinician and as a competent administrator both as the head of department of cardiology at Groote Schuur hospital and the Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences, which incorporates Medicine, in the University of Cape Town,” said Mkhize.
Mayosi was a recipient of the Order of Mapungubwe in silver for his contribution to scientific advancement.
Mkhize described Mayosi’s skill and talent as inspiration to those who followed in his footsteps.
“Prof Mayosi dedicated his talent, skills and his whole life to save the lives of others and trained many more in the art of healing as a specialist and lecturer in internal medicine and cardiology. He represented the best in Black excellence and was the epitome of outstanding professionalism and world class medical care that reflects the high standard in medical care that the world has come to accept from South African health workers.
“In this sector Prof Mayosi was a role model and a hero of a democratic South Africa. He represented the actualisation of the dreams and aspirations of the previously oppressed and the celebration of our newly found freedom,” said the Minister.
At the time of his death, Mayosi was the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town and an A-rated National Research Foundation researcher.
“May it comfort the beloved family to know that we share in their grief. No words can heal a grieving heart of a wife and soul mate left abruptly or comfort children and relatives who have lost a father, brother, an uncle or role model. We nevertheless wish the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.
“To his dear wife Nonhlanhla, the children and the entire Mayosi family and relatives as well as colleagues and students, we convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences. Farewell friend and colleague,” said Mkhize. – SAnews.gov.za
