It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our colleague Mr Thembinkosi Vena.
Mr Vena passed away in hospital on Friday, 3 June 2022.
Bru T or Thembi, as he was affectionately known, was a friend to many of his colleagues. Thembi was a very humble, soft-spoken, and dedicated staff member. We will remember his pleasant demeanour and smile and he will be dearly missed.
Thembi joined UWC in 2011 as a driver for the Student Representative Council (SRC). In July of the same year, he was appointed permanently as a driver for Residential Services. Thembi was well known to students in residence as he was responsible for their transport arrangements. He also supervised and coordinated our student driver cohort as well as serviced the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support’s office with their transport requirements.
In 2019, he was promoted to administrative assistant in the department but continued with carrying out certain transport duties. Professor Pamela Dube, DVC: Student Development and Support, says: “Mr Vena was a highly valued member of SDS, especially for his genuine personality and readiness to always respond to urgent situations related to students, like delivering emergency food packs at short notice. I remember him in my office and how he engaged with humility and a deep sense of respect in our conversations.
“His caring and kind personality warmed him to more than the students he served and SDS, but also to stakeholders across the University. The news of his passing has left me speechless. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this very difficult period.”
Residential Services shares its sincere sympathy with his family and prays that the Almighty will continue to comfort them and hold them in the palm of His hands during this painful time. Thembi will be buried on 18 June in his hometown in Marselle, Bushmans River in the Eastern Cape. May his soul rest in peace. Rest well, Bru T.
Prof Pamela Dube
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support
Mr Vena passed away in hospital on Friday, 3 June 2022.
Bru T or Thembi, as he was affectionately known, was a friend to many of his colleagues. Thembi was a very humble, soft-spoken, and dedicated staff member. We will remember his pleasant demeanour and smile and he will be dearly missed.
Thembi joined UWC in 2011 as a driver for the Student Representative Council (SRC). In July of the same year, he was appointed permanently as a driver for Residential Services. Thembi was well known to students in residence as he was responsible for their transport arrangements. He also supervised and coordinated our student driver cohort as well as serviced the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support’s office with their transport requirements.
In 2019, he was promoted to administrative assistant in the department but continued with carrying out certain transport duties. Professor Pamela Dube, DVC: Student Development and Support, says: “Mr Vena was a highly valued member of SDS, especially for his genuine personality and readiness to always respond to urgent situations related to students, like delivering emergency food packs at short notice. I remember him in my office and how he engaged with humility and a deep sense of respect in our conversations.
“His caring and kind personality warmed him to more than the students he served and SDS, but also to stakeholders across the University. The news of his passing has left me speechless. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this very difficult period.”
Residential Services shares its sincere sympathy with his family and prays that the Almighty will continue to comfort them and hold them in the palm of His hands during this painful time. Thembi will be buried on 18 June in his hometown in Marselle, Bushmans River in the Eastern Cape. May his soul rest in peace. Rest well, Bru T.
Prof Pamela Dube
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support
