Today, we gather with heavy hearts to honor and remember Delano Longwe. He was more than a colleague—he was a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration to so many. His infectious energy, kindness, and wisdom left an indelible mark on all of us. Though his passing has left a void, his impact will never fade.
Delano was a force of nature—full of life, warmth, and an ever-present smile. You always knew when he was in the room—not because he was the loudest (though that was often true), but because he made every space brighter, every conversation livelier, and every problem seem like just another challenge waiting to be tackled, preferably with humor.
He had an incredible ability to make even the most serious workplace discussions feel like a stand-up comedy routine. If there was a way to make a joke about sales quotas, cloud computing, or procurement tenders, you best believe he would find it. Some people saw financial dashboards; Delano saw an opportunity to make Saint Peter reconsider the reporting structure in heaven. “If I get up there and they don’t have a CEO’s dashboard,” he once joked, “I’ll put the devil on Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) myself.”
And then, of course, there was his driving. Delano loved his bright yellow Mitsubishi, a car so flashy it was visible from space. Riding with him was an extreme sport—you never knew if you were heading to a client meeting or participating in an impromptu rally. “Buckle up,” he’d say with that signature grin, and at that moment, you knew two things: One, you were about to be very late or very early, and two, you’d survive—mostly because Delano had way too many deals left to close.
But beyond the humor, the wit, and the sales genius, Delano was a man with a heart of gold. He had a way of making people feel valued, seen, and encouraged. If you were ever in doubt about yourself, he’d be the first to tell you to “stop overthinking and just go for it.” He believed in people, often before they believed in themselves. He would pay for a driving school class, make a job referral, or simply take the time to check in—because that’s just who he was.
"If I get up there and they don’t have a CEO’s dashboard,” he once joked, “I’ll put the devil on PIP myself."
Delano Longwe
Secretary General PROSAK
And let’s not forget his talent for making birthdays special. While most people would send a simple WhatsApp message, Delano would take it a step further—calling you, singing (badly), and insisting it was a “limited edition” performance. No one ever had the heart to tell him he wasn’t exactly Grammy material, but that didn’t matter. It was never about the singing—it was about making people feel loved.
His loss is deeply felt, but his legacy is one of laughter, generosity, and an unwavering spirit that lifted so many.
To Helen, Joanna, and Jon-Rex, and the entire Longwe family—please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Delano spoke about you with such love and pride. We share in your sorrow, and we stand with you in remembrance of a truly extraordinary man.
Delano’s presence was a gift to everyone who knew him. His kindness, his humor, and his belief in people will live on in the countless lives he touched. Though he may no longer be with us, his spirit remains in the laughter he shared, the encouragement he gave, and the difference he made in this world.
As we say goodbye, let’s honor him as he would have wanted—not just with tears, but with laughter, with boldness, and with a heart full of life. If heaven has a sales team, we can only imagine he’s already closed the biggest deal and somehow convinced the angels to throw in free lifetime support.
Rest easy, Delano. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
