Family, friends, and colleagues of Reverend Canon Vuyisile Ezra Tisani gathered at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George on Thursday, 17 September, to pay their respects at his funeral. Tisani, the former Chancellor of the cathedral, passed away on Monday, 7 September, after a long illness. His death left his family and the wider community deeply saddened as they dealt with the loss. The funeral service was presided over by the Right Reverend Mcebisi Pinyana, Bishop of Grahamstown.
Tisani had a long and distinguished career in the church, marked by his commitment to education and community development. He understood at an early age that education was one of the ways through which people could achieve freedom. He began his early education in New Brighton, Gqeberha, where he grew up, and later attended Lovedale Institution. He studied at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the University of Cape Town, and eventually continued his studies at universities in England, including Birmingham and Nottingham.
Tisani's faith and service to the church spanned many years and different parts of the country. He grew up in the Anglican Church at St Stephen's in Gqeberha, where he was an altar server and a lay preacher until he felt a calling to the ministry. In 1965, he went to train for the priesthood at the Federal Theological Seminary in Alice. He was ordained deacon in 1968 and priest in 1969 at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Makhanda.
Throughout his career, Tisani worked in different parishes, with all kinds of people, in rural villages and urban townships around the Eastern Cape. In Mdantsane, KuGompo City, he established the congregation of St Gregory's. He served as an overseer for years at St Barnabas Parish in Port Alfred and the congregation at Kenton-on-Sea. While in the United Kingdom, he served at St Mary's, Lowdham, and Gunthorpe.
Tisani was deeply committed to community needs, particularly in education. In Makhanda, where he spent most of his life, he worked with the South African Committee for Higher Education (Sached), encouraging the youth to continue their studies at higher levels through Unisa. He also served the Anglican Church at different levels, working as an advisor to bishops in his diocese and participating in provincial commissions and committees under the supervision of the archbishops.
A memorial service was held at Tisani's family home on Tuesday afternoon, 8 September, where Bishop Pinyana led the family in prayer and shared stories about Tisani's sense of humour and strong commitment to the historic cathedral. Tisani is survived by his wife and companion of 60 years, Dr Nomathamsanqa Tisani, their three children and their spouses, and five grandchildren.
Tisani was laid to rest at Waainek Cemetery, surrounded by his family and friends. His legacy as a dedicated servant of the church and community will be remembered for years to come.
Key points
- Reverend Tisani had a long and distinguished career in the church, marked by his commitment to education and community development.
- Tisani worked in different parishes, with all kinds of people, in rural villages and urban townships around the Eastern Cape.
- Tisani is survived by his wife and companion of 60 years, Dr Nomathamsanqa Tisani, their three children and their spouses, and five grandchildren.
