Dear esteemed Colleagues, Partners, Members and Funders, both near and far.
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we come together to mourn the loss of our dearest doyenne, esteemed CEO, colleague and friend, Dr Anshumali Padayachee.
With immense sorrow, we share the news of her passing, leaving us all in a state of deep grief and reflection. We will each mourn the loss of our well loved and respected leader, in different ways.
As the leader of our organisation, Anshu was not just a visionary, but also a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration for each and every one of us. She touched the lives of so many, both within our company and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the business world and the world in general. She will be sorely missed.
Under Anshu’s guidance, the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) thrived and reached new heights, transforming challenges into opportunities, and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and empathy. She brought out the best in us, encouraging growth, nurturing talent, and empowering every employee to contribute their very best to the success of our organisation.
Beyond her professional accolades, Anshu was known for her kindness, humility, and genuine care for others. She had an uncanny ability to connect with people on a personal level, and her presence brought warmth and positivity to any room she entered.
As we mourn the loss of our dedicated leader and friend, let us make a conscious effort to continue to build Anshu’s already incredible legacy. Let us honour her memory by continuing to embody the values she cherished – perseverance, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Anshu’s family, friends and loved ones. Their loss is immeasurable, and we stand by them, offering our support and love.
We understand that grief affects each of us in different ways, and we encourage every member of the THENSA family to lean on one another for support, understanding, and compassion. Together, we can find strength in unity and navigate through these sad times.
On behalf of myself, the THENSA team, our project co-ordinators and the THENSA Board, we would like to thank everyone so far, for their kind words of encouragement and support, it really does assist us in continuing to provide the best service, in these sad times. We may not get to personally thank each and every one of you and be assured that these words have allowed us to focus on what Anshu would want us to do and that is to “make things happen”.
We assure you that each and every one of our projects will be continued as planned so that we meet the objectives, deliverables, and committed timelines continuing to see them succeed to further build on the legacy that Anshu started. So let us join “TEAM THENSA” and keep Anshu’s dreams and memories alive.
Let us continue her excellent work for future generations to grow and explore and bring longevity to her ideology. Let us unite and celebrate her life and legacy and let us remember her for all that she so generously, energetically, passionately, and selflessly taught and shared with us – THANK YOU Anshu. Thank you for always going above and beyond, for setting an exemplary example, for being the role model you were to so many of us.
Even though we mourn, let us remember the positive impact Anshu had on our lives, and the legacy she leaves behind.
Rest in peace, dear Anshu, knowing that we will pull together and continue building your dream, YOUR THENSA.
With deepest sympathies,
PROF CHRIS NHLAPO,
Chairperson of the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) Board.