EULOGY - Written by Dr Soter

Donna, the Da Silva family, 

distinguished guests, fellow Zanzibaris, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today we celebrate, honor and remember a lifelong friend who has passed away from our world. John will no longer paint, write books but I know his inspiring words and works and kind gestures are forever in our hearts.

As we pay tribute to his life, I feel John is smiling to see us finally share this quiet time of fellowship with each other and to reflect on the important aspects of living life. As we gather together let us also bring comfort to John's closest family members as they are NOT alone. None of us are alone in our loss. We all miss John, a father, brother, uncle, a co worker, teacher and leader. A unique man with a natural zeal for exploration, architectural history, art and learning.

I have known John since I met my wife, Alison, 30 years ago and it was my pleasure knowing this gifted person. He believed if you worked hard, treated people right, and with a little bit of luck from God you could have a good life.

John Baptist Da Silva was born in Goa and migrated to Zanzibar with his parents at the age of 10. He studied at St. Joseph’s Convent School for his primary and secondary education run by the nuns of the Precious Blood from Germany.

His father was a dressmaker to the Royal Courts of the last 3 Sultans of Zanzibar including the wives of the British residents, high court judges and
diplomatic corps. He was also Dress maker to the first lady Mama Fatma Karume.

John Baptist Da Silva worked as an accounting clerk in the British government services before the revolution and later, after the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964, He worked in the revolutionary government accounting services at the State Fuel Co operation. He earned a reputation for an ability to get along with others, without compromising his principles. He was greatly admired by his colleagues and they trusted him.

Ambitious to be an architect he never did follow his interest in architecture and the history of Zanzibar remained deep in him.

In 1970 – 1971, he voluntarily restored the interior of the Byzantine Romanesque style cathedral of St. Joseph’s Zanzibar with its many decorated arcades, walls and murals. He trained the catholic youth for the restoration.

His previous experience as a Boy Scout master of the Catholic scout group which functioned in the British protectorate days helped him to organize such activities.

The Restoration of the cathedral deepened his interests in the history of Zanzibar, particularly of Stone Town. This motivated him to research, interview people, paint, draw, design postage stamps and photograph the town. This includes the different architectural diversified characters in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

He has immortalized Stone Town through making art lovers encounter the present and past in his furtive water colors. His paintings, drawings, photographs are shown in the world travel documentaries of BBC, CNN, German, French, South African television and others including his old special post card collection of Zanzibar. He is mentioned in many local and foreign newspapers, books and reports, including the Aga Khan report on the Stone Town Conservation.

He has photographed a number of visiting world dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II, Russian President, Fidel Castro, Indira Gandhi, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Anne as patron of Save the Children Fund for the President of Zanzibar – Aboud Jumbe.

John Da Silva has had several art exhibitions in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America, Goethe institute, British Council, the Palace Museum and others. They were all held to promote and bring the awareness of Stone Town's rich cultural heritage to people of Zanzibar and the international scene.

He has served on the advisory board of the
Zanzibar museum and Archives, and also assisted in the establishments of the Palace Museum. He assists his brother Caj Da Silva in the maintenance of the commonwealth war graves on Chapwani Island.

He is a recipient of a Life time Achievement Award presented by the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July 2008 and in 2009 He was awarded a ZATI recognition award for his exceptional contributions and creativity in promoting arts, heritage and cultural tourism in Zanzibar.

In 2011 John presented  Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall  on their visit to Zanzibar, a collection of his artwork.

In February 2013 just before his travel to Nairobi for his recent check up, the Ambassador of  The United States of America visited him at his daughters home and presented him with a friendship medal for his contributions.

 Friends --Fate ordains that dearest friends must part. Do not be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before one can meet again.

John one day in a faraway place, we will recognize your face. We will not say goodbye my friend. --For we will meet again.

John Baptist Da Silva---Rest in Peace. AMEN