The University of Venda is in mourning after one of their loyal and longest serving staff members passed away.

Wilson Nanga Mphenemene (62) of Madombidzha had worked at the University of Venda for the past 24 years. A senior library assistant, Mphenemene succumbed to illness two weeks ago. He was buried at his home village of Madombidzha.

Commonly known as ‘Tyma’ by his friends and fellow workers, Mphenemene will always be remembered for his joking mood and endless smile which earned him countless friends during his lifetime. A natural entertainer, Mphenemene came up with his own terminology which kept everyone laughing wherever he went. His famous greeting words include Holoowa, Vha ri mini, Ndi vhone henevha munna and Ndende.

Mphenemene was born on August 20, 1946, at Mushasha village. He attended school at Lemana. He started working at the Johannesburg College of Education Library in February 1968 and joined the University of Venda in 1984.

The director of the Univen library, Mrs Mushoni Mulaudzi, described Mphenemene as a rare breed of hard worker who will never be replaced. “While this death will haunt the Mphenemene family forever, the University of Venda is equally devastated and all who had the pleasure of knowing Wilson. We received the sad news of his death with shock. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the community he served so well throughout his life.”

Mulaudzi further described Mphenemene as a parent, advisor, comforter and community leader in his own right. “His death has devastated his friends and family and robbed us of a lifelong companion. He was an inspiration and motivator. The wounds in our hearts will hardly heal because he was part of our big family at the University of Venda. Instead of shedding a tear, we must also go down memory lane and think about the good things that Wilson did for this community while he was still alive. It flashes in our minds that the University of Venda is what it is because of the contributions made by hard workers like Wilson.”