Dear (by Hand, Fax or Email): Abongile, Alexa, Andre, Barbara,
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Dear (by hand, fax or email): Abongile, Alexa, Andre, Barbara, Boetie, Brian, Charl, Chris, Christina, Darlene, Doret, Elouise, Erika, Carel, Fiorini, Gustav, Janice, John, Josh, Julia, Justine, Ken, Lena, Lia, Louis, Louisa, Marika, Mark, Matt, Michael, Mike, Nandipha, Nico, Nobhetshu, Nontsikelelo, Nomakhaya, Osman, Paul, Petru, Robyn, Roddy, Rowena, Ruan, Sasha, Simphiwe, Shanta, Steven, Tandeka, Taryn, Taslim, Thomas & Tracy Sikwenkwe Nkosana: the final chapterBinga: This is to report that Binga passed away on Thursday 29 October 2009: so we got him back in the nick of t ime; which underlines that Simphiwe’s warning not to wait but immediately to get him home was prescient. Thank you, Simphiwe. The fund: I’m relieved and extremely grateful for the additional very generous contributions that not only took care of the worrying shortfall but will enable the family to bury Binga in a manner befitting their custom. In this regard I want to thank Gustav and Elouise Trichardt who contributed R8 000 (Gustav is my late oom Petrus and tante Nellie’s grandson for whom Binga worked for many years), Ruan de Hart who contributed R2 000 (Ruan is the son of Chris and Marika de Hart for whom Binga worked many years) and Shanta and Brian Patterson who contributed R5 000 (Shanta is my sister). There was also a R500 contribution from someone who failed to identify her or himself with the following note: ‘BINGA TRIP CONTRIBUT’. Please let us know who you were so that we can thank you personally? I find it significant how the children, grand children and their respective partners have responded (including Josh, Matt, Rowena and Sasha – refer earlier reports). Here, for instance, are excerpts from Gustav’s mail: On behalf of Elouise and I, thanks to you and your team! We had the privilege of having been witness to the amazing love and respect that there was between Binga and my grand parents…I can still so vividly recall Binga's words when we would find him in the kitchen washing up: "more Boetie, ngiyabonga kakhulu" …Oupa & Ouma would have wanted nothing more to give him the comforts that you have provided for; they are looking down and smiling knowing that the family extended compassion to him, compassion that is so bitterly missed in this broken world that we live in. Please use ourdonation in a manner that you find appropriate. Lots of love & God Bless, Gustav & Elouise For interest, see Elouise: http://elouise.posterous.com/ & Gustav’s blogs: http://thefarmer.posterous.com/ ) The gratitude: I cannot overstress how deeply moved by the generosity, members of Binga’s family are. On three occasions Simphiwe looked into my eyes and gravely asked me to thank everyone who had made all this possible. Nobhetshu, through herfriend, also thanked you, deeply. Last night I got the following SMS from the Mpinga family: Hi there, on behalf of Mpinga family we wld lyk 2 say a special thanx 2 u. We even dont have words 2 say, but we cld send an sms 2 God we wld ask him 2 bless and take care of our loved ones including U! And most importantly we wld ask God if u can stay a part of us 4ever and that HE musnt ever take you away from us…) Luv u and Mic u. Tandeka and Mpinga family.
