Two Great People Died Yesterday
Yesterday two great people left this earth – Carol de Villiers and Nelson Mandela. The one I knew personally, the other I never met. Both came from very humble beginnings and spent much time in the Transkei, a former homeland during South Africa’s Apartheid days. I met Carol de Villiers in 1989 when I was friendly with her daughters Bronwyn and Verne. Carol very soon crept deep into my heart and in many ways she became a ‘mother figure’ to me. I remember making marshmallows with her at 2am in the morning while enjoying one of our ‘through the night’ video evenings. I remember her and her husband Coen as Camp Ma & Pa on Sunday School camps. I remember Carol co-ordinating our Church Concerts and the hours of fun we had presenting them. Evenings spent laughing around board games while enjoying her well renowned cooking skills, until just recently, will never be forgotten. Carol, Bronwyn and I often remembered fondly our membership of the ‘I was a Noot vir Noot Contestant’ club – in fact Carol came second in the series she appeared in. Her knowledge of music and movies was impeccable and she loved Christmas – particularly Christmas music. She always told me that I gave the best hugs and would always ask where her hug was if I didn’t give her one when I saw her. Two days before she passed away Helen and I visited her in hospital. We’re not sure if she knew we were there but I did ask her how I was supposed to give her a hug while she was lying in a hospital bed. She managed a small smile and lifted her hand toward me which I gently squeezed and I know she saw that as a hug. I’m going to miss her terribly.
Nelson Mandela I never met. I had been brought up believing him to be a terrorist. It was only when I went into the army that I started realizing the injustices in our country and understood what it was that he stood for. He was eventually released from prison and went on to unite a country that had been so divided for so long. He demonstrated forgiveness and humility – traits which we all need to live.
These traits were common between both Carol and Madiba. They both demonstrated humility, love, forgiveness and compassion. The message I would like to bring across from Carol’s life is that we don’t need to look for powerful heroes on political platforms in order to be inspired or to find an example by which to live – heroes like this are all around us – in our friendship circles and in our families. Appreciate the people around you. Carol de Villiers was a hero!
To Bronwyn and to Leon and Brian, Carol’s grandson, who she was looking so forward to seeing next year, my deepest condolences, I was truly blessed to know your Mom in the way I did. Cherish the memories you have of her and live the life lessons she taught you. You are her legacy.