Terminally ill child given a hero’s send-off
8-year-old Given Sibanyoni, who wanted to become a metro police officer when he grew up, recently passed away and was mourned by the entire department.
Young Given Sibanyoni was given a dignified funeral when he was buried like a metro police officer. Little Sibanyoni (8) passed away recently at the Steve Biko Academic hospital from kidney cancer after he fell ill.
The Tshwane metro police department is saddened by the death of Sibanyoni, whose dream came true last year when he wanted to become a metro police officer for a day.
The chief of police, Steven Ngobeni, and the MMC of community safety, Terence Mashigo, attended Sibanyoni’s funeral, with Mashigo saying a few words of condolence to the family.
Rekord reported on Sibanyoni’s visit to the metro police last year November through the Reach for a Dream Foundation, where he was given the experience of being a metro police officer. Not only did he become a metro police officer for the day, he was also given the title of ‘chief of police’ for the day.
“The day Given visited us to reach for his dream, most officers were really touched and excited that they could make his dream come true,” metro police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, said.
“All the metro police officers and chief of police Steven Ngobeni expressed their sadness, because we all hoped he would live long to accomplish his dream.”
Mahamba said the metro police assisted Sibanyoni’s family with the funeral arrangements and gave Sibanyoni a hero’s send-off at his funeral in Mpumalanga.
Sibanyoni’s mother, Lindiwe Ntuli, said he fell ill and was in hospital for a while before he passed away, adding that it was a difficult time for her and the family. “We are finding it hard to accept, but we will be alright. Given was my firstborn son,” an emotional Ntuli said.
Sibanyoni was described as a quiet and friendly child. His mother said she was glad he got to live out his dream of becoming a metro officer before he died.
Read: Boy reaches his dream
Terminally ill child passes away after reaching for his dream
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