Teen who died in Donegal drowning was a 'truly special soul', funeral hears

Extra.ie​

3 days ago

The funeral of an 18-year-old who tragically died in Co Donegal heard that he was a 'truly special soul.'
Matt Sanele Sibanda, 18, and his friend Emmanuel Famiola, 16, tragically drowned after getting into difficulty while playing football near Ned's Point at Buncrana. Matt was originally from Zimbabwe while Emmanuel was from Nigeria, and both were living in Donegal at the time of the tragedy.
Speaking at Matt's funeral on Saturday, his uncle Buhle told mourners that his nephew moved through life with 'quiet dignity and deep respect for others,' and that he was a 'gentle soul.' The funeral of an 18-year-old who tragically died in Co Donegal heard that he was a 'truly special soul.' Pic: Family handout
'The pain of losing him so suddenly taken from us in the ocean's vast embrace is something we are still struggling to understand,' Buhle said. 'But even in our grief, we come together in faith, knowing that God walks with us, especially in our suffering.
'Matt was a truly special soul. He was a humble young man never one to seek the spotlight, never one to boast. He moved through life with quiet dignity and deep respect for others. Whether speaking with elders or playing with younger children, he carried himself with grace. You could see his goodness in the way he treated people with kindness, patience, and sincerity.
'He was the kind of person who made others feel seen, heard, and valued. That is a rare gift, and one that touched everyone who knew him. Though his life was far too short, Matt left us with memories and moments that will live on forever. He may no longer walk beside us, but he lives in our hearts in his gentle smile, in his respectful words, in the quiet strength of his presence. Matt and Emmanuel Familola (pictured) both drowned when they got into difficulty in the water. Pic: Scoil Mhuire Buncrana
'The ocean, in all its mystery, took him from this world, but we believe that God, in His infinite mercy, received him with open arms. As Catholics, we hold to the hope and promise of eternal life. We trust that Matt is now in the presence of our Lord, where there is no more sorrow, only peace and joy.'
Buncrana Parish Priest Father Francis Bradley told the funeral at St Mary's Oratory on Saturday that members of Matt's family had travelled to Ireland for the funeral to support his mother Bonnie.
'Over the past three weeks there has been a lot of visiting going on locally,' Fr Bradley said. 'Especially in the light of the tragic events, the tragic deaths of Matt Sibanda and his good friend Emmanuel Familola.' Both boys died after getting into difficulty while entering the water near Ned's Point, Buncrana. Matt's body was recovered some time later, while Emmanuel passed away from his injuries at Letterkenny University Hospital. Pic: Getty
'The events of the afternoon of May 10 last will remain with us for a long time. While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for their grieving families.
'We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened.'
'From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his great ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart,' he continued.
'In the building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone, but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader, a first among equals.
'He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. His surname Sibanda means lion. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means lion.
'Both Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common, as well as their Catholic faith, their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. All of this stemmed from a profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never, ever spoke back to her, even once, throughout his 18 years.
'[He was] a man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid.'