Among the grieving family members who gathered at Mangosuthu University of Technology on 12 August 2026 to honour the late Cebo Nyondo was his uncle, Dumisani Nyondo, whose heartfelt tribute offered a deeply personal glimpse into the life of the beloved academic administrator leader. Reflecting on his nephew, his sister’s first-born son, Dumisani described a remarkable man who brought immense respect, trustworthiness, and stability to the family. “He was a wonderful person. We shared a lot with him. We never thought of this day,” Dumisani shared. “He was everything. He was a visionary. He was the glue that held us together as a family. He was humble.”
Dumisani reminisced about the early days when they were searching for a post-matric institution for Cebo, eventually landing at MUT. He recalled how Cebo’s ambition showed early on when faced with a bridging course: “This is not for me,” Cebo had declared, determined to forge a direct path forward.
Reflecting on his nephew’s legendary work ethic, Dumisani admitted that he used to discourage Cebo from spending so much time on his work. At the time, Cebo would excuse himself by saying he needed to send some “little work” to the “doctor.” Dumisani noted with poignant clarity that he now realises that “doctor” was Dr Manyane Makua, the Senior Director of the Learning and Teaching Development Centre (LTDC).
While acknowledging the health scare Cebo experienced earlier in the year on 1 May 2026, Dumisani said they never imagined it would lead to such a tragedy. He expressed the family’s deep sorrow, noting that they have lost a lot, but find comfort in the teachings of Cebo’s grandmother to trust in the Lord through prayer.
Extending his gratitude to the Institution, Dumisani praised MUT for the prominent role it played in shaping his nephew’s life. “My nephew was the salt of the earth. He was a shining light. This is what he was to the family. We thank MUT… May God be with MUT and remember Nyondo for what he did for us.”