Alex...We are desolate, knowing that never again will you come up the driveway and fetch some chicken wing kebabs to braai with your friends. Our path together was so long. This page is dedicated to your memory.

You had so many friends. From all walks of life. Your friends loved you deeply. They really miss you.

Following are a few pictures from our lives together.

Alex and Martin with Sheba. Around 1983 when Alex was 3. Sheba was Alex's watchdog and they used to play for hours together.

This is you and me at the maternity home the day your brother Junior was born. Then a few years later.

Click for more youth pictures page

You bowling, me batting in the Dads versus Under 13A cricket match at Summerwood. Must have been around 1992 I guess.

You, Junior and Mariska outside the Wild Coast Sun a few years later.

1998 - Bandos Island, Maldives - (near Sri Lanka).
Alex, Junior, Mariska and Martin.

Planning our scuba dive in the Maldives. 1998.
All four of us together.

Kitted up, ready to go.
Junior, Dad and Alex.

....Dumped off the banana. Shared laughter. Genuine Happiness. 

You always had a smile for everbody.
You always had a spring in your step.
You always gave away your last sweet.
You had a special affinity for the needy.
 
You loved, you were loved.
 
You would help anyone who asked
You influenced all our lives so much.
Your place will never be filled.
We all learnt so much from you.
 
Your patience was a lesson to us all.
Rest in peace, bru.

 Alex's self-taught home page that he created is at: www.martins.co.za/alex/

This dedication is by Martin, Alex's step-dad. Alex's father is Mr Fanie De Witt now of Miami, Florida, USA.  There is overwhelming grief at our loss. Alex passed away most tragically in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday 22nd April 2000. All who came into contact with Alex are mourning. His happy verve for life was the envy of most in his wide circle of friends. He was a leader.  Fanie and Alex had discussed plans that Alex would join his father in Miami in the near future and we  know that Alex would have approached this keenly as a new adventure in life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Fanie and his immediate familiy at this time. We know that nothing can ever make up the loss. 

Alex was at "Auntie Pam's school" pre-primary school in Summerstrand. He then started Sub A (Grade 1) at Summerwood School and was always in the "A" team with regard to all sports. It was my pleasure to be asked to assist with rugby coaching under the Principal, the late Mr. Justice Crouse. Alex was fearless and scored many tries with his strong running and determination. We learnt DOS and Windows 3.1 together at home. Alex studied further at Pearson and matriculated at The Hill College where he was a valued member of the student body. Overcoming his asthmatic condition, Alex became an open water diver at an early age and dived most sites in Port Elizabeth. He loved the outdoors and would go snorkelling with his pal Roscoe, then bring back a dozen or so of the biggest oysters you could imagine. He was a very successful fisherman and my photographs bear testament to his ability in this field. He enjoyed music. Man - he LOVED music. He spoke Afrikaans and English perfectly. Alex was a slight level above his peers - and was admired for this. For the smallest reason he'd grab a tent, some chicken wings and off he'd go. He loved Sun City and parasailed at the minimum age, which was 12, if I remember correctly. Umhlanga Sands was where he got a prize for tenpin bowling. He did his scuba training at Beacon Isle. As all matriculants do, he went off to Plett at the end of the year, and celebrated. Newly-made friends from there still arrive to visit him. With Damelin College, he and his pals drove off to the national get-together in East London. After matriculating, Alex drove to Cape Town to spend time with Fanie and his family, who lived in Cape Town at that time. Alex always got out and did it. Often he went to Sundays River with his Uncle Gert, and his cousins, where they water-skiied.

This piece is being written eight days after the accident. Heartful appreciation is extended to all who came around, who cared, who phoned, who sent flowers, who telephoned, phone-a-grams, faxes, emails. Thank you. I can say no more. My heart is very heavy. The daylight is not so bright anymore, somehow. It is impossible to erase a long, happy history. I am so happy that a few of the pictures above show Alex, Junior, Mariska and me together - Bandos Island, Maldives, 1998. Togetherness matters so much. To Tracey, who took the picture, thank you - you have introduced a new dimension to the word "togetherness". You and Alex were so good to each other and this mature respect was much admired by all. The same goes for all at our home, especially May. And Annelise and Princess. And Vanessa, thank you for your ever-present interest and caring.

Alex came and lived with Tracey and I in 1998. A comfortable and happy home environment with much laughter and serious attention to the important matters in life, like honesty. We bought him a Toyota Tazz so that he could get to school and back without relying on lifts. He rewarded our faith in him, and that of his school,  by passing matric that year. The next year Junior came to live with us, and the year thereafter, Mariska. Then Tracey and I had a baby. Alex, Tracey was so sad that you were denied the opportunity to see Calvin's face. You were so happy about her having her first baby.

Alex was a very gifted sportsman. A rugby player of note - a talented cricket player - a natural golfer. His smile broke some hearts around town. There was no lego set that had him beat. With diligence he put the largest aeroplane sets together, perfectly. A neat dresser, his tidiness was to be admired. He was a man who stood his ground, a man amongst men. We all miss him so much.

Daddy.

Click your BACK button to return