Sheyavali was a strong pillar for IUM – Namwandi
By Tracy Tafirenyika
THE International University of Management (IUM) founder Dr David Namwandi last week expressed his condolences over the passing of both Mathew Sheyavali and his wife Jane Neumbo, stating that the former was a strong pillar and an exemplary member of the IUM family.
Sheyavali’s death on June 27 was preceded by the passing on of his wife Neumbo on June 23.
Speaking at the funeral Namwandi said that Sheyavali was a committed staff member who added great value to the institution that will be irreplaceable.
“Sheyavali had a long history with IUM having joined the institution in the mid-1990s when it was still known as the Institution of Higher Education.
He started off as part-time lecturer and eventually came on board as a fulltime lecturer.
“During his long term history with us, he remained a calm spirited and committed member of staff.
He was consistent and quietly added great value to the institution. Sheyavali was known as a gentle soul. He was unassuming and made time for both his colleagues and students.
He was until the time of his untimely death one of the longest serving members of staff who never wavered even when others chose to jump ship in the shaky formative years of IUM.
“The passing of Sheyavali was preceded by the passing on of his dear wife Neumbo, who passed on just a few days before he also succumbed to his illness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend of many.
She was a true example of the Proverbs 31 woman she was a God fearing and soft spoken woman.
“She would wake up early to support her family through her entrepreneurial skills and always doing so with a smile and good cheer. The passing of these two souls following each other is truly a big blow to their family and colleagues and indeed to IUM community of scholars,” he said
Speaking on behalf of the family, Meriam Mhene who is the deceased couple’s last born expressed her gratitude to her parents stating that they had paved a way for them for the future and the family would dearly miss them.
“We really thank our mother and father for raising us until this far. They worked very hard for us to be where we are today. They worked until the very end of their lives which is very important. We will dearly miss them very much.
We the children have very fresh fond memories as if it was just yesterday, of the good that our mother and father did which will always resonate for as long as we live and for that we are endlessly grateful for the lessons you have taught us to remain grateful and humble for what God has given us”.