The St Francis Care Centre is mourning the death of its long-serving chairperson, Themba Ntshalintshali, who died on August 21 at the age of 95.
He was born in Dannhauser, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and was the eldest of four children.
Themba’s father was a preacher, and as such, he grew up in various places including Grahamstown, George Goch, Boksburg, Pimville and wherever else his father was placed by the church.
Themba completed high school in 1943 at St Chats College in Ladysmith after which he began an illustrious career spanning four decades. He rose through the ranks in various industries including legal, financial, pharmaceutical, healthcare and entertainment.
He was passionate about people and this showed itself in his involvement in community building based organisations over the years including NICRO and St Francis Care Centre.
Themba joined the board of St Francis Care Centre in 2009. In 2010 he was elected as the vice-chairperson, and in 2016 he was elected as the chairperson of the board where he served diligently until his passing.
The centre manager of St Francis, Tilly Brouwer, said that Themba will be remembered for his availability and punctuality at all times.
She said that as chairperson of the board, he never refused to fulfil certain tasks on short notice.
“The well-being of the centre was of the utmost importance to him as was good governance. He will be sorely missed and his absence at future meetings will be felt by all.
“We, at St Francis Care Centre, bring tribute to Themba and say his race has been completed after a life lived to the full. May his soul rest in peace.”
A funeral service was held for Themba on August 27 in Midrand.
Brouwer said the centre’s vice chairperson, Pat Mfihlo, will take over Temba’s duties until the new board is elected at St Francis’s AGM on September 17.