Saidi Ally Masimango: the unsung hero
It was the morning of Monday July 22, 2013 when I received a brief but chilling email from a close relative. The relative wrote and I quote verbatim:
"Msiba! Saidi Masimango amefariki asubuh hii, TMJ hospital! Innaa Lillah wainnaa ilayhi Raajuun".
This is literally translated as "Misfortune! Saidi Masimango died this morning, TMJ hospital! We are all from Allah and unto Him is our return".
The time was 7.54 am. I was taking my wife and two daughters to Dubai International Airport to catch their flight to Dar es Salaam. We were coming from the UK to attend graduation ceremony of our son Luqman Dau, who the previous Wednesday, earned his BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Sheffield.
As with all sudden deaths, my initial reaction was that of disbelief. I asked myself several questions. Is this the same Masimango who is my Director of IT at NSSF? What might have happened to him? As several questions were racing through my mind, I quickly made an international call to Mrs Chiku Matessa who was taking charge of my office while I was away. At the time, Mrs Matessa was already at the TMJ hospital and confirmed to me that our beloved colleague Saidi Ally Masimango is no more!
In keeping with Islamic teachings and tradition, I knew that the funeral will take place not later than the following day, i.e., Tuesday July 23. I found myself utterly helpless because I was halfway to the airport to drop my family and the flight was only 2 hours away. I didn't have a booking for the flight and didn't have my passport with me at the time. I had no option except to throw the towel because there was no way in those 2 hours I could have catch that flight to escort my colleague to his eternal home. What was left for me was to pray for the departed soul.
Mungu amrehemu na kumjaalia pepo
ReplyDeleteIna lilah waina ilahi rajiun.
ReplyDeletePoleni wafiwa.
Tulikuwa pamoja Uturuki.
Mdau UK.
As one proud enough to elist as the late Said's friend, I found myself reading your obituary from the beginning to the end. A few years ago you re-connected me to the late Said as we chatted in Leicester and my old links with him were re-kindled via e-mail and facebook. I first met Said in the mid/late 90's - a friend had introduced him to me upon his return from India. We shared may values - among them, knowledge extraction from data. It was not long after we had met, I had to leave the country for pastures new oveseas at the back end of 1999. In the years which followed we had a communication blackout but then I met you in the UK and you re-connected us. He responded to my mail like we had been together all those years and via e-mail and facebook we exchanged a wide range of ideas. We were to meet up this summer, but it was not meant to be. The news of his death reached me by way of Facebook - coincidentally, via the same friend who had introduced us 13 or or so years ago. I pray for his soul and sabr for his grieving family. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajiuun.
ReplyDeleteinna lilahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun, ndiyo "trend" ya maisha ya mwanadamu.Leo upo duniani kesho ni akhera. Aliyetuumba atujaalie mwisho mwema na Atuwezeshe kumwabudu yeye pekee bila kumshirikisha na chochote.
ReplyDeleteMr dau wewe ni mwandishi mzuri sana and RIP Masimango.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSaid Masimango a real usung hero, master of mathematics, computer magic is no more! I can hardly believe this.
May Allah bless him with Firdaus Ameen
I don't know you but what I can say is, R.I.P Said masimango,
ReplyDeletebest obituary ever written,,
ReplyDeleteInnaa Lilah Wainaa Ilaih Rajiun. I don't know Bro Masimango personally, however, reading those good news about him, I came to conclusion that he was a good person. I don't want to believe ever that God has done some mistakes by inviting Bro Said to him, again I can understand the kind of pain his family are going through.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take this opportunity to ask God to forgive his sins if he had one. On the other hand, to give his family peace of mind. The very important to remember is the fact that what had happens to Bro Said is the end of everyone among us. Are we prepared for that day and how. Can we at least live those good characters as Bro Said Did.
At last and not least I won't do justice even to myself without pointing out the efforts made by Dr Dau in summarizing the biography of Bro Said, specific that in relation with his good character. Am asking God to forgive him and give his family alternative and comfort. Mguu wa mbuzi
Dr Dau you have the power of writing!very best and touching obituary ever..wish Said could read this..
ReplyDeleteIt was in the begining of the holy month of Ramadhan when you called me and asked to meet you at Benjamin Mkapa Towers to collect iftaar for our uncle..!least did we know that was our last time together and your last sadaak!such a man brother to every one, loving good samaritan..helping people in need..
Inna Lillah wainna Illah brother Said Masimango Computer Wizard IT Legend!I pray to Allah S.W to forgive your sins and may Allah S.W rest you loving soul in Janaat Firdous..Inna Lillah gone too soon God's will must be fulfilled..