adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE Town Secretary and renowned academic and businessman, Dr Sipho Singo, has died.
He was 56.
The council’s director of housing and administration Mbongeleni Muleya said Dr Singo succumbed to heart failure at Polokwane Provincial Hospital in South Africa on Saturday.
“Dr Singo’s condition deteriorated on Friday night and he was rushed to Musina Hospital on Saturday morning. He was further referred to Polokwane Provincial Hospital where he died on admission,” said Muleya.
Dr Singo’s body is still in South Africa and is expected in the country today ahead of burial on Saturday at his farm in Mazunga outside Beitbridge.
A memorial service for the late Dr Singo would be held on Friday at 10AM at Purple Heart Hall in the border town.
Muleya described Dr Singo as a man who had a strong passion for development in Beitbridge and the country at large.
“Dr Singo’s death is a sad loss to the council and residents of Beitbridge and the country at large. We have lost a fatherly figure, a great man who had a vision to transform the face of Beitbridge into a modern city,” he said.
“During his tenure, he spearheaded a number of developmental projects in the town.
“Our town has become a model for development because of Dr Singo’s quality leadership skills and hands on approach on developmental issues,” said Muleya.
Dr Singo’s widow, Agnes, said the family has lost an inspirational man and a champion of development.
“We are at loss of words. This is a big blow to us as a family. He was a hard-worker and a very generous man who was instrumental in spearheading developmental projects in the district,” she said.
Dr Singo was born on March 28, 1958 in Gwanda in a family of 10 children.
He is survived by wife and daughter Tendani, 5.
Dr Singo, a renowned academic and businessman, joined Beitbridge Town council on May 14, 2009.
He held a PhD in Administration from the University of South Africa (Unisa), Masters in Adult Education and Honours in Politics and Administration (University of Zimbabwe).
Prior to joining the Beitbridge Town Council, Dr Singo was a lecturer at Unisa School of Public Management and Administration between 2004 and 2006.
He also lectured politics at the University of Namibia between 1998 and 2004.
Online Reporter