Tribute to Guido Sohne

When I was a kid, I thought death robbed the old. People who had lived a full blissful life and were ready to meet their maker. Finding out the truth was a really painful experience. Death is no respecter of persons. It can rob kings, royals, politicians, geniuses, drug addict, thieves and children. Now death has struck again this time robbing the content of one of its great mind. A great software developer and pioneer is gone.

Unfortunately I never meet Guido. But I had heard about him. Any software developer who hangs out at developer forums knows about Guido. I wish I could write about him as a person but like I said I never met him. I would have loved to meet or possibly work with him. As you know great minds think alike. I am sure there would be a lot to learn from him.

I just want to say I think Guido was a great man. He challenged himself to be more than what he could be. He wanted to influence change. He believed in what I believe in. We can use Information Technology to change Africa’s destiny. He rose above all odds and refused to just enjoy the spoils of a good life as a developer in a developed country but stay in the motherland and make something of himself.

When I was spending sleepless nights trying to debug difficult piece of code. there where times I wanted to throw in the towel. But I would think about people like Guido who were self taught and preserved. I would then try harder. Now I am a great software developer and I owe it in part to having such a role model.

To Guido, I want to say even in death you still inspire me. I have decided to challenge myself more and do as much as I can. Life is so precious an there are so many hurdles to cross. I also subscribe to the idea of Free Open source software. It is time developers had a united front. It is not easy being a developer but if we work together we can as one effect change. Goodbye Guido,I pray God grants you a place in the pearly gates. Your life was not in vain. Your legacy will forever live on.