Buncrana drowning victim Matt Sibanda remembered as a ‘natural leader’

The funeral has taken place in Buncrana of Matt Sibanda, one of two young friends who tragically drowned in Lough Swilly three weeks ago. 

Buncrana came to a standstill for the second time in two weeks as several hundred mourners, following the funeral of 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola two weeks ago, many of them in tears, packed into St Mary’s Oratory for the requiem, as a white coffin bearing the 18-year-old’s remains was carried to the altar.

Buncrana Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley said Matt was a man of few words who doted on his younger sister and was “a good and kind boy, a humble kid who would play with the other children, always looking out for his sister Sandy.

“He adored her and she him. He would watch her when his Mam was working; he taught her to ride a bike; he would play piggyback with her and chase her after school – always kind and happy.”

Fr Bradley added that he had the “perfect balance in life, for he loved food, healthy food, and loved exercising, lifting weights; ironically, he was a powerful swimmer.”

The moving service began with the Zimbabwean National Anthem and the Safe Haven Choir singing It Is Well with My Soul.

Chief among the mourners were Matt’s heartbroken mother, Bonnie, his older siblings Modest and Thembalethu, younger sister Sandy, grandmother Josephine, and members of his extended family.

Also in attendance were his neighbours and many friends from The Old HSE Building on Buncrana’s Main Street, teachers and fellow pupils from Crana College where Matt had been a much-loved pupil, friends from Buncrana Hearts FC and many other residents throughout Inishowen and the Zimbabwean community all over Ireland. Extended family and friends of Matt also viewed his requiem mass from Zimbabwe on the church's Webcam.

Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to the Taoiseach, represented An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and An Tánaiste Simon Harris.

The Saturday morning requiem was also attended by heroic members of our emergency services, including An Garda Síochana, the RNLI, Coast Guard, and the Ambulance Service, who had tried so desperately to save Matt and Emmanuel just three weeks earlier.

Heartbroken mourners pictured as the coffin of Matt Sibanda is carried out of the church in Buncrana.

In his homily, Fr Bradley told those present how Matt Sanele Sibanda was born on 4 April 2007 – and from that day forward, he has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence with “his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart.”

“In the Old HSE 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.”

Fr Bradley said the 18-year-old – who died along with his teenage friend – had more than his Catholic faith in common with Pope Leo. 

“His surname, Sibanda, means “Lion”. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means “Lion”. Pope Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common – their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping allsides to reach a better solution.” 

“All of this stemmed from his profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never spoke back to her even once throughout his eighteen years.” 

The Buncrana Parish Priest said the events of the afternoon of May 10 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 his grieving family. 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.”

Fr Bradley added: “His mother tells of how, in the week before his untimely death, he spent more time than ever with her – lying with his head on her shoulder as he did when he was a little child.”

“But there was a difference to him, for while he was with her and Sandy and very present to them, his gaze seemed to be into the distance, beyond the present moment.”

“On that fateful day, Saturday 10 May, the three of them sat down to enjoy a full breakfast, what would be their last earthly meal together. It is now as if there was a deeper drama going on, something they were unaware of, but very powerful all the same.”

“And now may Matt and Emmanuel both rest in peace.”

Meanwhile, Matt’s aunt Buhle fought back the tears as she expressed her sorrow and gratitude on behalf of the Sibanda family. She stated that the ovwhelmeng support of the community had been a “source of strength.”

“I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the outpouring of support, love and comfort you have shown us during this incredibly difficult time.”

“We are especially thankful to the entire community, the church family, and the government of Ireland for standing with us and holding us up when our hearts were heavy with grief.”

“Your presence, whether through kind words, quiet prayers or simply being here today has meant more to us than words can fully express. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking alongside us as we remember and celebrate Matt’s life.”

Matt was laid to rest at nearby Cockhill Cemetery following the funeral.