DAR ES SALAAM: SOMBRE mood enveloped mourners at the Julius Nyerere International Airport as they received the body of Kigamboni Member of Parliament and World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Regional Director-Elect Dr Faustine Ndugulile, who passed away in India on November 27 while undergoing treatment.
Deputy Speaker Mussa Zungu led the family and other leaders in receiving the body, including the Minister of State in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance, George Simbachawene and the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), William Lukuvi, along with District Commissioners, government officials, party leaders and Members of Parliament.
The late Ndugulile’s body was placed in a special glasspanelled vehicle, draped with the Tanzanian flag and the Parliamentary flag. The late Ndugulile is survived by a wife and two children.
“I am deeply saddened by what has happened; I still cannot believe it. It happened while I was at school. I received the news that my father had passed away,” Melvin Ndugulile, the second child of the late Faustine Ndugulile and a PCB Form Six student said. Melvin said the last time he saw his father was two weeks ago.
“I remember that day clearly; it was Sunday. We woke up, got ready and went to church together,” He added, “After church, I had to prepare to return to school and my father was preparing to travel to India with my mother,” Melvin said his father urged him to strive for excellence before returning to school.
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“After I showed him my exam results, we parted ways. I went to school while he, accompanied by my mother, went to the airport. I informed them of my safe arrival at school. That was our last conversation.” Thereafter, Melvin kept track of his father’s condition. Their mother kept telling them he was improving, but unfortunately, this week, everything changed.
When he was leaving for India, Melvin said: “Honestly, I never thought that things would turn out this way. I remember the last time he went to India in 2017; he came back and recovered well. However, this time, things worsened and unfortunately, he couldn’t return.”
“My father’s influence on my life is immeasurable. From shaping my character to inspiring my leadership aspirations, his guidance has been invaluable. Even my sense of style is a testament to his influence,” Melvin added.
Mr Simbachawene, speaking about Ndugulile, said, “As a political family and as a nation, we have lost an important figure at a critical time for the country. He was a professional with firm principles about what he believed in. He was unshaken by circumstances and challenges. We have lost someone significant, who, as a nation, we were set to benefit from in his new role at the World Health Organisation’s Africa Regional Office,” he said.
The late Ndugulile’s body is currently preserved at Lugalo Military Hospital. Today and tomorrow, mourning will continue at the deceased’s home in Kigamboni. On Monday, the body will be taken to St Immaculate Church at Upanga, after which it will be transported to Karimjee Grounds for the public to pay their final respects.
The ceremony will be led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
