Authentic person, community builder and role model. That is how some people attending the funeral service of Acting Head of Department (HoD) at Eastern Cape’s Education department, Dr Soyisile Nuku, described him. He was laid to rest in Misty Mount Libode on Friday, 2 February 2024.
The department celebrated his life earlier this week at a memorial service after his sudden death on the 24th of January 2024.
Dr Nuku took the position of Acting HoD after Dr Naledi Mbude joined the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Many have described him as an exceptional and determined leader.
Deputy Minister at the Department of Basic Education Dr Reginah Mhaule was among the hundreds of people who attended the funeral service. In her address, she said she was impressed and motivated by the leadership of Dr Nuku and that men should look up to the way in which he led his family and the department. She described him as a role model – not only to his biological children but also to the learners he taught and engaged with.
“We thank the family for affording us an opportunity to work with Dr Nuku even when he had initially retired. He did not only lead the Eastern Cape education department but was part of a board that took decisions on basic education in South Africa – which is led by the Basic Education Director General,” she said.
The province’s Premier, Oscar Mabunyane was also in attendance. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family and said that the death of Dr Nuku has deeply hurt the Eastern Cape province. He thanked those present at the funeral for their time and respect for Dr Nuku’s work.
“As we all know, Dr Nuku has been a teacher and community builder, an authentic person. He would get excited over life and progress,” he shared.
Mabunyane encouraged the youth to take education seriously and said that it will change their life and families for the better. He added that teachers find it difficult to retire from their line of work and Dr Nuku was no exception.
Dr Nuku’s children remembered their father as their superman, hero and role model and said that he believed in education. They concluded that they are proud of his love for their family, academics and justice.
