Her height disadvantage did not deter her from reaching loftier heights in her quest to be of service to the community.

She was feisty, cared deeply for her colleagues and always walked the extra mile to ensure services reach even the most marginalised communities of the City of Johannesburg’s Region D.

These were some of the tributes paid to the late Salome Ngobeza during her memorial service at Dlamini Multipurpose Centre, Soweto, on Thursday, 12 May 2022. Ngobeza was the Regional Director of Region D. She passed away on Sunday, 08 May 2022 after serving the City and its people for over 15 years.

“Salome was a very active, enthusiastic and loving person who understood the brief and the reason why she was running such a huge region and she was unmatched,” said acting Regional Director of Region D Lali Mohlabane.

“She never had limits, she helped everybody therefore, we need to continue serving the City as she would want us to,” added Mohlabane.

Speakers said Ngobeza was a leader who led from the front as she worked on the ground during the service delivery programmes, wearing overalls and doing the dirty work.

She was exceptional in the work she did, being able to manage one of the biggest region in Johannesburg, which consists of 38 wards, on her back.

“She was very understanding and had the ability to listen, because sometimes we do not give ourselves time to listen and understand another person’s perspective. What she brought was the ability to listen to all the sides and the ability to come with a position that takes her to account the best of all sides,” said Citizen Relationship Urban Management Group Head Thanduxolo Mendu.

Salome was a great friend, who was very stylish and wanted the best in all of the people in her circle. Together, they called themselves “Didima”, which is a name that originates from the trip they took with their husbands to the Drakensburg.

She was an active employee of the City who lived her life for Region D, and people who closely worked with her understood that service delivery should not be tempered with.

Another speaker said Ngobeza’s death should never be in vain, much as she was sick, City officials must continue where she left off. They must continue to show the energy to go beyond the call of duty. She left a legacy to continuing giving efficient service delivery to residents of Region D and to make sure that Soweto is at a good standard.

“What really stood out was the approach in the way she did things and humanity that she had. There will never be a time where you will find her frowning, you will find her trying to resolve all the challenges faced by the community and being able to be objective at all times,” said Regional Whip for Region D1, Cllr Thulani Buthelezi.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, 14 May 2022 at Saint John, Florida, Roodepoort, at 08h00.

Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
12/05/2022