In remembrance: Siphokazi Hlungulu

Dear colleagues and students

It is with immense sadness that we inform you of the passing of our colleague, Ms Siphokazi Hlungulu (36), on Sunday, 14 November 2021.

Ms Hlungulu joined the University of Cape Town’s Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa (CIDRI-Africa) in January 2017. She worked as a study coordinator in the NEWSTRAT TB trial being conducted at Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain hospitals. She has also worked as a study coordinator in the AMBITION Trial, which was successfully completed.

She has been described as a trusted and valued colleague who demonstrated great care and respect for her patients, took pride in every aspect of her work and built strong and healthy relationships with other health care workers in the hospitals where she worked. She stood up for the vulnerable and for her principles and was never afraid to articulate her defence of these. Ms Hlungulu was a true gem of a human who touched every life she came into contact with.

Ms Hlungulu was the glue that kept her colleagues together. She always found a way to constructively work with every person and personality. She was a stylish, strong, proud woman who was unafraid to step out of cultural norms and societal expectations. She connected with her patients in a very personal way, maintained connections and continued to support many patients long past the duration of the trails being conducted.

She will be remembered as someone who always went the extra mile for her patients. Her bubbly laughter and outspoken attitude ensured that she was heard. Her colourful bold dress sense always made her colleagues smile. She had a tenacity about her that could not be ignored, but at the same time gentle enough to make her very approachable.

She is survived by her son, Azasive. Although the date is at this stage not finalised, the funeral service is scheduled to take place in Butterworth, Eastern Cape.

The university has reached out to the family to offer support in this time of bereavement. We convey our sincere condolences to Ms Hlungulu’s family, friends, colleagues and all who knew her.

Sincerely

The UCT Executive