Community builder buried
Dedicated community builder and a member of Ivory Park Taxi Association (IPTA), Mr Semadi Joseph Tjiane was buried at GaMalebogo in Bochum, Limpopo, recently.
His funeral was attended by high-profile people, including senior government officials, local chiefs, councillors, politicians, members of IPTA and community members from the Blouberg area.
Mr Tjiane’s funeral service was held at the Rabie Ridge Community Hall, where most of the speakers described him as a great leader, caring person and a great community builder.
The IPTA chairman, Mr Joseph Mkhonza, said the association has lost a true soldier and a great leader.
“Mr Tjiane was a pillar of strength in the association who never took sides. He was a friendly person who listened to everyone who had a problem. He worked hard to unify the association and the community at large,” he said.
Mr Mkhonza added that they had learnt a lot from Mr Tjiane, as he inspired many of them to keep building communities.
“He participated in our school’s soccer tournament which is held annually in Ivory Park. He was an executive committee member at Operation Thiba Nyaope. He not only served the community of Ivory Park, but also the community at Blouberg, in Limpopo, where he was born. We are proud to say our association is the most organised and well respected in the taxi industry. Our drivers wear suits and ties on Mondays and Fridays,” he added.
Councillor Phillimon Tutja, who spoke on behalf of the Blouberg municipality’s mayor, said Mr Tjiane had made his name in the football fraternity, when he founded a soccer tournament. The tournament saw 38 teams competing for a prize of R100 000.
Local chief, Mr Seakamela, said they are still shocked by Mr Tjiane’s untimely death.
Mr Tjiane is survived by his wife, brother and two sisters.
