Alvin Andile Ziyambi's family conveyed extreme gratitude to the community of Grahamstown for their support during the late Rhodes University student's emotional memorial service on Wednesday 13 November.
Alvin Andile Ziyambi's family conveyed extreme gratitude to the community of Grahamstown for their support during the late Rhodes University student's emotional memorial service on Wednesday 13 November.
Ziyambi, 23, died after spending six days at the St Georges hospital's intensive care unit. The third-year B Comm student passed away at the Port Elizabeth hospital on Monday this week as a result of the injuries he sustained in the fire.
Ziyambi was trapped in a burning flat at The Greens complex, off New Street on Tuesday 5 November.
He sustained severe burns to his upper body and was transferred to a Port Elizabeth hospital.
Scores of mourners gathered at the Rhodes Chapel to pay their last respects to Ziyambi on Wednesday. His family, including his mother Thembelihle and other relatives who live in Zimbabwe, were also at the memorial service.
Speaking during the service Ziyambi's father Knowledge said he would rather be anywhere else but at his son's memorial service. Knowledge said he had visited his son last year and he (Ziyambi) had taken him on a tour of the university.
"He told me that the next time I see him he will be graduating."
Knowledge thanked the local people for their assistance at a time where they really needed it. "You have demonstrated a compassion that we did not expect. We have never been here before, but you have shown us so much care and support," he said.
He also thanked "those who saved Alvin" from his burning apartment. "We could have been called to see his ashes. We did see Alvin in hospital. He was in a very bad state. We could not have recognised him because of the burns," he said. He also asked to meet the people who rescued his son from his burning flat, before he left for Zimbabwe.
Knowledge said he could barely recognise his son while he was in hospital.
"He battled against all odds, even when the doctor said his chances of surviving were very little," Knowledge said.
Speaking about his son's character Knowledge said he showed so much promise.
"It is very hard to lose a child, especially one so young. Even worse when it so far away from home. Alvin was dearly loved by his family and his Grahamstown family. Such an innocent soul."
A number of speakers shared interesting and funny things about Ziyambi's life. Dean of students at the university Dr Viv de Klerk said even though she did not know Ziyambi personally, she had heard that he was a loyal member of the volunteer team at the St Mary's Day Care Centre.
De Klerk said it is always sad when a young person dies. "I hope and trust that he did not suffer too much," she said.
De Klerk also thanked all the people who rallied to help Ziyambi's family. She thanked Momentum Health medical scheme for paying for all of Ziyambi's medical costs and the costs of his repatriating his body back to Zimbabwe.
