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“A candle, never loses light by lighting another candle.”

This was a response by Mr VusumuziKaZulu Norman Zulu in 2007 when asked what his favorite wise words were.

Gebo, as he was affectionately known, believed that happiness never decreases by being shared. This is what he meant when he spoke about a candle.

It was with deep sadness that on Friday evening I received the tragic news of the untimely passing away of Gebo. He worked in our Communications Unit as an Assistant Director.

At 14h30 today 6 October I visited the Zulu Residence in Pelham to convey my deepest sympathy to the wife, kids, entire family and neighbors of our colleague who departed this earthly life last week.

From the time Mrs Zulu reported his abduction to the police, I have been nursing hopes that he will be found unharmed and rejoin her and his children.

Messages of condolences that have been outpouring from different parts of the country and from the people of KwaZulu-Natal are an indication of the impact that Gebo made throughout his professional life.

After discussions with the family today, it was agreed that the memorial service for Gebo will be held this Thursday 08 October 12h00 at Grange Community Hall in Pelham.

The Funeral Service will take place on Saturday 10 October at 09h00 at the same Hall.

Judging by accounts given by friends and all categories of staff across all spheres of government and the private sector - in the social media - it is clear that the whole country has been shaken by this tragedy.

This week, all categories of staff in the department and all entities are mourning the loss of a professional communicator who served this government in different capacities for more than 15 years.

The true greatness of a person is measured by the impact that person has on the lives of others. This statement rings true for Gebo who has touched the lives of many in different ways.

Born on the 28th May 1980 at Catherine Booth Hospital, Gebo received his primary education at Khayalemfundo and Siyavikelwa in Sundumbili – Mandeni. He completed his high school education at Udumo High School in Mandeni.

He prepared himself for the years ahead by pursuing a National Diploma in Public Relations at Technikon Natal, now Durban University of Technology. His passion for education saw him completing his B.Tech in Public Relations & Communications at DUT. For this, I wish to salute his mother – Mam Sibongile Zulu and his late father Mr T.B Zulu.

Fast forward to around 2005, it was not suprizing when Inkandla Hospital added Mr VusumuzikaZulu Zulu to its executive roster. As a Public Relations Officer he understood that in a country marked by a high burden of diseases, inequality and abject poverty, to succeed in improving access to quality health care required nothing less than absolute devotion and loyalty to serve one's country.

Such is the profound devotion that the Gebo showed when he worked with healthcare professionals and communities in Nkandla.

Critically, Gebo understood government’s focus on extending health care services to the homes and communities. He was part of the team that worked towards the commissioning of Mpandleni Clinic in Nkandla.

As the Editor of the hospital newsletter Izwi Lethu, he embarked on a health awareness and education campaign working with Onompilo and other health professionals.

He believed that taking health care to the people was likely to improve access and make the local communities health literate so that they were able to provide basic self-care.

For example, knowing how to treat diarrhea for babies at home was likely to reduce infant deaths; knowing how to reduce high blood sugar was likely to reduce complications associated with diabetes.

Such dedication and hard work resulted in Gebo being offered another position of Public Relations Officer at Northdale Hospital in December 2007.

Working closely with the hospital CEO and KZN Department of Health’s Corporate Communications, he identified, planned and executed the hospital media relations and communications activities to enhance the hospital’s image with the media and the public at large.

He handled both clinical and administrative complaints from patients in line with the Principles of Batho-Pele. He is credited for the successful implementation of workshops and open days to create awareness about the vision and mission of the Northdale Hospital.

I must hasten to point out that Gebo earned the respect of his peers in communication because of his love for the visual presentation of the activities of Department of Finance and Economic Development which he joined in March 2009.

He worked with former MEC for Finance and Economic Development Dr Zweli Mkhize shortly before his deployment as the Premier. Gebo distinguished himself as a great marketer of the department’s achievements for the period between 2004 and 2009.

Under the leadership of former MEC for Economic Development Mike Mabuyakhulu, he was always at his best especially during the Royal Show which coincided with his birthday month and held annually at the Royal Showgrounds.

He ensured that the department’s exhibition stand was always a hive of activity from start to finish. The annual Umyezane B-BBBEE Conference and Business Awards was one of the platforms where he displayed his skills - working with communicators from across all entities under the department.

He was an integral part of the East3Route tourism programme. This is an initiative involving the expedition to South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. Seychelles became the latest addition to the East3 route initiative.

This expedition has been running for more than three years. He marketed government’s efforts aimed at strengthening economic and social ties between the countries in the East3Route tourism initiative.

In 2017, he was recommended to head communications for Operation Vula and the Radical Agrarian Socio-Economic Transformation (RASET).

This programme was launched in Ixobho, under Harry District Gwala Municipality by former President JG Zuma and former MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala.

His marketing skills assisted the department to promote government’s interventions, through Operation Vula, that are aimed at using government buying power to procure goods from SMMEs and Co-operatives.

Few months ago, Gebo was re-assigned to work closely with me. Today, I wish to state that I cherish the time I spent with him throughout the Tourism Month Campaign.

I have no doubt that inspiration could possibly be one of the most important aspects of becoming a successful communicator. Importantly, I am left with a distinct impression that inspiration was the root of his creativity as a photographer – the responsibility he executed with a smile.

Few days after his untimely death, I can’t stop looking at the photos he took during the inspection of Margate Airport. During this event, I was joined by the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli and local leadership.

He was my official photographer when we visited a range of caves at KwaXolo, South Coast. In my interaction with him, as we were preparing to go down to the caves, he encouraged me to be natural and advised against posing – saying this could create awkward photos. He was quick to point out that this was the most exciting assignment in his career.

Indeed, Gebo captured this must-see tourism feature which boast San paintings that are more than 100 000 years old.

As the department we undertake to use his photos to promote the area and ultimately stimulate tourism for the benefit of local communities. This will be the surest way of maintaining his legacy.

His collection of photos includes those he captured during our recent visit to uThukela District Municipality. We had brought with us high commissioners and ambassadors from different countries such as – Europe, America, Asia and the African continent.

We also brought businessmen, tour operators, representatives of travel airline, booking agents and other stakeholders in the entire tourism and hospitality industry.

He captured traditional leaders and ordinary community members from local municipalities who have been part of our tourism month activities. He doubled his efforts as we worked with municipalities across the province to ensure that local communities are brought into the mainstream tourism.

He successfully communicated visually, our message that seeks to emphasize the point that tourism would be judged by how much it contributes towards our efforts aimed at substantially reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment in our country.

I am left with an image of a kind and gentle young man.

Whenever Gebo approached ordinary communities who wanted to take a photo with me – he always received them with a generous spirit and a charming smile, making them comfortable.

I wish to convey our gratitude to people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa for praying for the family during this difficult period.

We pray that God Almighty comfort the wife, children – colleagues and mend your broken hearts; and guide Gebo in his journey to eternity.

Last week I assigned my office to liaise with Mrs Zulu to finalize logistics for the memorial service and funeral. Details will be communicated by my office.

My office is also communicating with the SAPS who are currently investigating circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

We appeal to witnesses to liaise with law enforcement agencies and help with information that will lead to the arrest of anyone responsible for his abduction.

The words that best describe the life and times of Gebo are written in the book 2 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 7 and read as follows:

".....I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith...."

May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

2 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 7 and read as follows:

".....I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith...."

May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Issued by The KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube