RCSS and local community lose Roy Nibourette |13 August 2020

The Red Cross Society of Seychelles, as well as the local community in general, has lost one of its most committed sons in the field of humanitarian work following the demise of Roy Nibourette yesterday morning after an illness.

For over two decades Mr Nibourette, a former fire fighter, has been an active member of the local Red Cross Society (RCSS), occupying most of the key posts including programme coordinator, acting secretary general and project & disaster coordinator.

His last post was project and emergency operations coordinator which he occupied until his last days.

Mr Nibourette was a loud and well-known figure at both local and international level.

Other than offering training to local RCSS volunteers and various working institutions, Mr Nibourette was internationally known as a trainer, having shared his expertise at regional, as well as continental level.

He had also represented the RCSS on various national committees.

Described as a ‘Red Crosser’ to the end, Mr Nibourette never let any started work unfinished and according to his colleagues, while at the hospital during the last stage of his illness, he was asking for his laptop computer so that he could finish all the project work he had started.

In 2007 Mr Nibourette was also into politics where he was a member of the National Assembly, representing the Seychelles People's Progressive Front.

Despite the separation between RCSS and politics, Mr Nibourette always found time to bring his contribution to society as a volunteer.

Speaking to the Seychelles NATION newspaper, RCSS’ secretary general Marie-May Bastienne said the society has lost an archive, a hard drive, a friend, a trainer, mentor and a valuable asset.

She said Mr Nibourette was well versed in every aspect of the work and his absence will be felt.

In a message to the RCSS, the Plateforme d’Intervention Régionale de l’Océan Indien (Piroi) described Mr Nibourette as one of its founding pillars.

« On vient d’apprendre la bien triste nouvelle pour Roy, toutes nos condoléances à sa famille, aux membres de la Croix rouge des Seychelles.

Roy a été l’un des piliers bâtisseurs de la Piroi il y a vingt ans, il a toujours été dynamique très engagé à nos côtés. Toute l’équipe de la Piroi est bien triste de voir s’en aller l’un des nôtres, avec toutes mes pensées », reads the message.

Meanwhile the United Seychelles party has sent its condolences to Mr Nibourette’s family and friends.

The United Seychelles’ condolence message reads:

“It is with great sadness that United Seychelles has learned of the passing away of Mr Roy Nibourette.

“Mr Nibourette was elected to the National Assembly in 2007 on the platform of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF). He was the member for the district of English River, to which he diligently dedicated his time and effort until the end of his mandate in 2011.

“Mr Nibourette was recently working with the Red Cross Society of Seychelles as project and disaster coordinator.

“United Seychelles would like to express its deepest sympathy to Mr Nibourette’s family and friends.”

Roland Duval/United Seychelles communique