Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad time, a sorrow that is deep and personal. Thabo Macpascal Thulare silently departed this life on Saturday, 29th May 2021. Our lives will be empty in the areas that he had brightened for us.
Albert Einstein said, “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” In one word, Thabo was a man who gave. He gave much in everything he did, including his work, most notably the Urban Planning and Development Control Strengthening project in Tanzania. Thabo lived a life that exemplified brilliance, a life that inspired and encouraged others, a life that burned bright so that others’ paths were lit.
Thabo joined ICLEI Africa in December 2021 as a Professional Officer in the Urban Systems team. He was a strategic thinker, a visionary who was innovative and creative. He had a passion for teaching others and sharing ideas. He generously gave us his knowledge, his expertise and his skills.
Thabo was living proof of how fine a person can be. He was a loving husband to his wife and a devoted father to his children. He was also a good friend to so many of us and a great colleague. The character of the life he lived might be summed up in a few words: he was sincere, he was earnest, he was joyful, he was loyal, he had a big heart.
In his career with ICLEI and preceding this, he worked with passion, integrity and energy. By his death, all the people who knew him will miss a highly intelligent, vibrant individual with a rare friendliness and charm of personality. Our sorrow is lessened only slightly with the comforting thought that we had the privilege to know him.
Rest in peace Thabo!