Michael Jackson - 1 Year Later

Last year on this day, I wrote a blog post: Michael Jackson is no more - a sad day for the world.

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25 2009.

I can't believe it's been a year. I remember waking up and doing my usual morning routine of checking emails and tweets. For the next hour, I was scanning news sites and was on the phone to my mother & brother in South Africa about the breaking news that The King of Pop was reportedly dead.

Remembering Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop on this day.

Hamba kahle, Fatimaben

This story ran on the Times Live site on Sunday, March 14 2010.

Meer, who would have turned 82 in August, died in St Augustine's Hospital in Durban on Friday afternoon after suffering a stroke two weeks ago.

Meer's brother, Dr Farouk Meer, said she suffered her first stroke eight years ago, leaving her partially paralysed.

"This new stroke caused additional damage to her nervous system, particularly the brain," said Meer.

Meer, a Durban-based sociologist, was married to Ismail Meer, who died in 2000.

Achmat Dangor, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said: "Prof Meer, who has been a close friend of Mr Mandela and his family for more than 60 years, was an academic and a stalwart of the struggle against apartheid."

Remembering my uncle

Today, February 4 is my late uncle Dully's birthday. His life was taken way too suddenly at the end of 2006 in a freak accident when he was on holiday in the Philippines. We miss him so much, and at the best of times still can't fathom why we were robbed of such a beautiful soul.

For my late uncle...

Even though we buy into the commercialization that is Christmas, this time of the year is always festive and filled with gatherings of family and friends.

But this year is a bit different for my family. Celebrations will be toned down a notch as we are reminded of my uncle who died tragically in the Philippines last year this time.

We're all reminded of him constantly because he really was a special man. And when I think of how we lost him so early in life, I'm deeply saddened as I am at this moment writing this post.

This is my first Christmas away from my family and I sincerely hope my aunt (Aurora) and cousin (Trusha) will find the strength to continue moving forward as they have done over the past few months.

This blog post is dedicated to my late uncle Dalpat (Dully) who is sorely missed.

Chatterbox February '07

My February column....

TIME TO HIT PAUSE!

My aunt, Aurora / cousin, Trusha / late uncle, Dalpat (aka Dully)

The month of February is a celebration of love! So I’d like to wish all readers a very Happy Valentines Day for the 14^th. I hope you spoil that someone special in your life with an abundance of love and affection, although I’m sure you do that all year round, right?!

I’m dedicating this month’s column to my uncle, Dalpat Makan (pictured) who passed away on Christmas Eve. He was on holiday in the Philippines with his wife and daughter. My family in South Africa was certainly not prepared for the dreaded phone call we received at three in the morning alerting us of the accident. The next call a few hours later told us that my uncle was in a critical state and was going to be taken off life support.

We are a very tight-knit family, and this is the first time that we have had to deal with such a tragedy.

My uncle’s death has inadvertently forced me to look at life in a different light. To evaluate one’s life is certainly not an easy task. To ask who oneself is can prove to be even more challenging. I have begun to realize that there are bigger things to be concerned about, and most of the things that we obsess about are often materialistic.

I feel like we are so caught up in trivial things throughout the day, that we forget to step out of our busy lives and think about the finer things in life. We all need to analyze ourselves as a person. Ask questions like, “Who am I?”, “What is my purpose in life and what contribution do I want to make to the world?”

I am just as guilty for being concerned about material things, but now that I’ve been thinking of it, it’s all so irrelevant. The way I see it is that we are all on earth for a limited period of time, and so we shouldn’t waste it on complaining about things we know can’t be changed.

I want to stop worrying about where I’ll be in the next ten years, and concentrate on the impact I’m making today…now. I also want to stop conjuring up the image of the perfect person, because I know very well that he doesn’t exist. As days pass by, I am beginning to realize that life is like a rollercoaster ride. Nothing is easy, and almost everything – especially relationships require time, dedication and commitment. These are life lessons that can only be learnt from experience, and I need to place more of my energy into understanding and realizing it.

As I mentioned before, my uncle’s untimely death has forced me to hit the Pause button on my life. I don’t want to occupy myself to the extent that I forget to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Life has an unusual way of panning out, and I really don’t want to be worried about what should have or could have been. Rather, I want to enjoy life for what it’s offering me today – good health and a loving family!

Have a great month and see you in March!

In memory of a family friend and mentor

A long time family friend, Matthew Moonieya, passed away on Friday, August 25 2006.

Not only was he one of my father's closest friends, but he also provided me with advice and academic assistance. His death comes as a great loss to the city of East London, especially the Buffalo City Municipality.
(Photo taken from Daily Dispatch)

My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Aunty Sue, Selwyn, Colette, Lucinda, Aunty Gaye and Robin

Taken from today's Daily Dispatch:

Moonieya suffers heart attack after official meeting in Gävle

By MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA
and DEON VAN DER MERWE

THE death of Buffalo City director in the mayor’s office, Matthew Moonieya, has cut short the municipality’s trip to its Swedish twin city, Gävle.

Moonieya, 60, died after suffering a heart attack at a Swedish hospital on Friday afternoon.

Moonieya is the second Buffalo City official to die of a heart attack. Former deputy mayor Des Halley died of a heart attack in 2004.

Acting city manager Brian Shepherd, who was part of the delegation to Sweden, said Moonieya suffered a heart attack while getting a ticket at a (railway) station. “An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital where attempts were made to revive him. After 45 minutes he was declared dead.”

The Buffalo City delegation of municipal officials and councillors, led by Mayor Zintle Peter, was attending a bi-annual meeting in the country.

Continue reading the article here.
Also see this article in todays Daily Dispatch.