THE founder of the Marlborough Brandt Group has paid tribute to a central figure in the town's link with The Gambia, who died last week.

Sandang Bonjang was the first Gambian to come to Marlborough from Gunjur, a Muslim community the charity has had links with since 1984.

"He was a very very close friend, who stayed with us many times and I will miss him greatly. He came over to Marlborough in 1984 and we have been great friends ever since," said Dr Maurice

"Sandang was a great ambassador from Gunjur and helped to lay the foundations of the partnership that has now lasted 34 years, with his gentle humour and tact and ability to adapt to our strange ways.

"It was clear to us why he in particular had been chosen by the Gunjur community to 'pave the way' for the development of the relationship that was to follow.

"He remained absolutely central to the link throughout, as a highly respected member of the Gunjur community both as a member of the Gunjur Link Committee and subsequently as the director the Trust Agency for Rural Development (TARUD).

"He was director there for 12 years during which time he made such a contribution to the development of the community and was key to the provision of clean water, early childhood education, health education, women's livelihoods and much more."

Mr Maurice will travel to Gunjur next week for a week to meet the current leaders of the project in The Gambia and to pay his respects to Mr Bonjang's family.