Mthokozisi ‘Giant’ Nxumalo – ‘a man like no other’ – joined us in August 2016. He was one of four out of 25 staff members who shared our journey as we moved offices from Rosebank to Parkhurst. Below we share an excerpt from the speech given by our director, Chilu Lombe, at Giant’s funeral on 25 February, and the final poem that Giant wrote during his time here with us.

There are many stories as to where the name Giant came from. Our generally agreed theory was that it was because he was a self-styled Giant of the game of chess. He joined Solid Green as a modelling technician, responsible for drawing models used for the various types of energy modelling we do. By the end he was heavily involved in doing various modelling for Green Star and Sans10400 XA.

To date, we have only had one event at the home of one of the members of the Solid Green family, and it was at Giant’s house. Last year, he invited everyone at Solid Green to celebrate Heritage Day at his house in Soweto. His excitement at being able to share his home with his colleagues, and educate them in general about life in Soweto and the history of the area, will forever be a lasting memory in all our hearts.

His pride at having the best kept garden in his neighbourhood and an energy efficient home spoke to how he lived, taking on so many of the values we hold dear at Solid Green. He had experienced some health issues in the last year but, on that Heritage Day, he was more like his old self than he had been in a long time.

His passing has left a significant sadness within our work family. For years we have had nothing but celebration and joyous occasions. Dealing with this tragedy is something very new for us and it will take some time to adjust to the loss of one of our own. The messages and tributes from his family, church and general community showed just how many lives he touched and the extent of his involvement in everything in which he took part.

A poem by Giant:

Some expectations are too hard to be fulfilled and met as at when deal. You all expect to hear about my birth, growth, school, tertiary etc. Take one thing home today that is:
I strived to be a son in a family of many sons. I strived to excel at school & tertiary amongst other students. I strived to make it in world of business by stretching my knowledge through a pen and paper. I put mansion and established foundations through my technical architectural knowledge. I strived to be a good neighbour amongst good neighbours. I father my beautiful daughter Thando through the love of my life, Ntokozo. My name is Mthokozisi Vezubuhle Nxumalo. I lived my life as a giant in all that I did because I strived to be seen in a blurry world. As I fare all thee well, my sunset has come but remember me through the journey that we once took together. I am Giant

Isidlakela sikaSidi sobolo
UmfokaMncane, isilo sezibani
ZakwaBulawayo, umthunzi ophumula amatshitshi namajongosi,
Udlembe oludla ukhula,
Iguqa elidla mankonyane
uJongilanga ka JimJimani,
Yimina imbewu kaMkhithika,
OmaThebe Amahle,
Yena owasamazi kuMzilikazi ngozipho,
Yimina uZwide kalanga
Unkabanhle,
Yimina ufulathela zimbuke izintombi,
Mnguni kaNgungunyane owangungunya amadoda nabafazi babantu
Usomaphunga ongaphungeki
Yimina okaSothondose
Umthondo wegolide owathundela abafokazana
Somhlola
Zwide kaLanga……….

Mthokozisi Vezubuhle Nxumalo