Dr John Sambo’s voice will not be heard again
Through his excellent qualities as programme director, Sambo excelled as a master of ceremonies.
Tributes have poured in for the outspoken and well-known MC and winner of the 2018 Kader Asmal Excellence Award at the 19th Annual National Teaching Awards, Dr John Zulase Sambo.
He died on August 1 at the age of 82. He was buried at his home at Elukwatini on August 6.
The MEC of education, Bonakele Majuba, MEC of culture, sports and recreation, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, and Gen Mondli Zuma, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS, were saddened by Sambo’s death. They conveyed their condolences to his family.
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Sambo taught at many schools across and outside the province, including Dlangezwa Secondary in Zululand from 1969 to 1977 before being appointed principal of Ekulindeni High School.
In 1987, he became the circuit manager of Mashishila Circuit in the eManzana area. He was promoted to assistant director of the Dundonald-Elukwatini Sub-region from 1992 to 1993. Sambo also worked in the office of the MEC of education in the province from 1994 to 2000, when he retired.
“He also distinguished himself in the field of choral music activities. He was the first programme director for the South African Schools Choral Music Competition, which started in 2001,” said Jasper Zwane, spokesperson for education in Mpumalanga.
Brig Leonard Hlathi, spokesperson for the provincial SAPS, said, “His talent as the most suited programme director for the Police Music Cultural Association’s (Polmusca) Choral Music Unity Festival competitions, was identified after he was requested to co-direct the first Polmusca National Unity Music Eisteddfod in 1993. Since then, he became the permanent programme director for the association.
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Sibongile Nkosi, spokesperson for the Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation, said Sambo travelled the world, visiting, among others, the United Kingdom, Israel, Turkey and Austria to observe how people with disabilities were cared for and how choral music competitions were
conducted.
“As a scholar, a musician and a master of ceremonies of music competitions, he realised that presiding at events distinguished himself from everyone with regards to his oratory capabilities and flair,” said Nkosi.
After winning the Kader Asmal Excellence Award, Sambo said, “I am extremely excited, especially at my age, to receive this award. I feel as though I have done all I could. I don’t owe anyone anything now. They should be themselves and hone their skills. The art of being an MC is learned through observation. You can push your own ideas, but you must observe how other people do it. I have been operating and I hope young people are able to learn from that.”
Sambo also wrote two books titled, His Excellency National MC and The Audience, and Arise and Shine, which documents the historical developments, challenges and achievements of the police and cultural association.
