By:Noluthando Ndebele

Brave, courageous, loving and hard working.  These are some of the words that best described the late DR Mario Oriani Ambrosini, according to his friends and colleagues.

His memorial service was held at St Thomas Church in Musgrave, Durban, on Friday.

The service was graced by Ministers and their Deputies, members of Parliament, his colleagues, friends and family.

Ambrosini (54) ended his life on the 16th of  August.  The Inkatha Freedom Party`s Parliamentary member in the National Assembly had been battling with cancer for a long time. A few years back, after he was diagnosed with cancer, he went to his birth country (Italy) to start treatment.

His colleague, Patrick Falconer could not hold back the tears while eulogising his friend. He said they had first met during the apartheid era. Ambrosini even introduced him to his wife.

“He was the perfect example of a workaholic and would not rest until the matter at hand was done.  We spent so many sleepless nights working together,” Falconer explained.

He said that the IFP was fortunate to have someone like him.

Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi complained of having to bury his children, as Mario was like a son to him.  He himself has buried five of his own children.

“Ambrosini was like a son to me.  I cannot remember how many times I have been stabbed in the back but he always remained loyal to me,” he said.

He also urged Ambrosini’s wife to be strong and come to terms with his death.

Ambrosini will be buried on Friday the 29th of August.