Former minister David Joubert laid to rest |02 December 2015

Eighty-one-year-old pioneer of politics in Seychelles, former teacher and minister David Joubert was laid to rest at the Mont Fleuri cemetery yesterday afternoon following a funeral service at the St Paul’s Cathedral.

Mr Joubert passed away on November 24 only six days after celebrating his 81st birthday.

His funeral service, which was presided by Reverend Danny Elizabeth and bishop French Chang-Him, was attended by family members and friends from Praslin where the decease originated as well as those from Mahé where he had been living for many years.

Members from the former as well as the present government including President James Michel and several politicians had also taken time out from their busy schedule to share in the family’s pain and paid their last respect to a great and remarkable personality in our history.

In a eulogy retracing the life of her father, Shirley said: “He was a man of the people who valued serving others”.

“He was a man who found it difficult to say no when it comes to lending a helping hand to those who need it,” she added.

She said her father will always be remembered as a great pioneer of Seychelles politics.

“As a politician he held his convictions where many had wavered. Dad never compromised his beliefs and principles,” she pointed out.

She noted that as a former teacher he firmly believed that education liberated people thus ensuring that his three children were well educated.

In his sermon bishop French highlighted the fact that coming from a family of 12 children, originating from Grand Anse on Praslin with life being very difficult in those days, Mr Joubert with the support of his family and all those people who helped and supported him, succeeded in his education and became who he was.

Mr Joubert was the co-founder of the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) in 1964 and from 1967 to 1977 he was and remained the elected member for Praslin. From 1970 to 1975 he was Minister for Housing, Labour and Social Services. From 1976 to 1977 he was Minister for Tourism and Aviation.

“At 45 he went into exile and this ended his career as a minister but even in exile his heart was always in Seychelles,” bishop French pointed out.

He regretted that returning to Seychelles 18 years later Mr Joubert could not get into the rhythm of the changes which had taken place in Seychelles while he was in exile.

He noted that losing his eldest son was another blow to him and after his long years of illness, death came as a friend putting an end to his pain and heartache.

Bishop French praised his wife Gemma who had been the tower of strength supporting her husband during his illness and all throughout their lives together.

Had Mr Joubert not passed away the couple would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary before the end of the year.

Mr Joubert leaves behind his wife Gemma, son Elvis and daughter Shirley.