I wear the oversized shoes of my ancestors who hold expectations of my going further, doing better, reaching the mountain top. 

I wear thick socks and tie the shoe laces tight to the shoes on my feet knowing that I do not hold the experience or wisdom of the generations that hold expectations.

A step forward qualifies as progress even when the shoe lands in a puddle of mud.

I generate emotion to regret the step and make the mistake of stepping back leaving me with two steps to regain my confidence to keep the forward march.

On a good day that could last a few months or years, my progress is represented by many steps.

Realising that I have more steps forward, than pauses or steps back, I acknowledge my contribution to my past and continue to manufacture the future that at times dismisses generational mistakes and wipes away generational curses.

I know the Creator has the Master plan, yet it will be my foot steps that will fill the cup.

The world keeps changing, taking my focus away from the expectations of the heavens and reduces my interaction with warm bodies that could make things clearer.

Going it alone, I maintain a balance between meditation, prayer, action and the celebration of milestones.

As I walk through more milestones, the shoe feels tight and I must release the laces as clarity sending communication to the heavens for the ancestors to celebrate.

Between, family, work, friends and foes, my path strengthens my resolve and rays of wisdom show me that my journey is not mine, but to invest in others.

My open hand of charity, love, compassion and care are interpreted as clarity of mind.

Again I feel the tightness of my shoes and realise that there is no longer a need for the thick socks as my shoes can carry themselves in my feet.

I enjoy the moment of acceptance that the shoes fit, yet time is out and I look to the next two generations to try on the shoes.

Obstacles should be less, as my lessons will keep them blessed.

My role changes and I am no longer a walker in the shoes, but a minder of the shoes.

I pass on the experiences and keep the lectures within reach to those to whom I preach.

The laces relaxed, the socks removed, I now have nothing more to prove.

The words of my tongue, an expression of my thoughts, refined into a defined and sometimes untested opinion of my surroundings,

I lead this collection of thoughts, deliver in words and invoke deeds that I always hope find me responsible for my actions,

I must be responsible for how others accept my presence as it is the absence of my presence that I will be judged, interpreted and understood,

Am I necessary and relevant or are the utterances of my mouth what promotes my leadership relevance,

I should ensure that all I say should be intended on building and dependent on only positively influencing my environment,

Am I a leader or accepted to lead or knowing the expectation on me to lead,

I do not want to disappoint so I lead by trying to please all, even when some of the expectations may make me fall,

I must say no at times, but it is time that I do not have enough of to say no,

Motives I may judge and opinion of all I may store, emotional intelligence I will have to select not to be emotional and focus only on what needs to be achieved,

I lead not by name, I lead to outcome, I lead not by title, I lead by action, I lead not by bragging, and I lead responsibly.

I can lead!

You walked into this world through the rolling majestic hills of the Transkei. Confident and certain about whom you were and what you wanted. Hard working and determined, you kept under the radar until you found the bass guitar. It was love at first sight as you strummed to the beat, you made the melodies sweet.

Committed to your job, you never incurred any loss you served your employer, Lewis stores with pride and everyone thought you would never ride apart. Then you met, K.V, butterflies and stars, you gave her your heart.  Together you built a life, a family of heritage.  You only expected the best and nothing less would make you rest.  Emotions never determined your decisions even if we misunderstood your precision. Always perfectly dressed, the pleat in your pants perfectly pressed.

Colour coded clothes, hair in a cut you walked with pride because you were confident about your path. Anything you bought you never sold as your affection was never cold.  Very few friends as you give loyalty that could never ends. Always in perfect health, you slowly worked on your characters wealth.

One day you found Christ, reading the bible and buildings your heavenly crowns. You lived upright, never compromising on what you considered right.

Never wanted to bother anyone, you lived always with a plan. You left all of a sudden, leaving us shocked, but knowing your purpose. You touched many lives and sincerely loved your wife. This world is poorer without you.

You leave behind your wife, Karin, daughters, Cassandra, Shannah, Dionne, son, Everard. Grandchildren, Jordan, Cazlia and Jarred.

You were a husband, father, grandfather, neighbour, businessman, friend and true contributor to society.

Hamba Kakuhle

You will be sorely missed.

I walked this world and sometimes it ends in a twirl. My voice cried out to prepare my world. I did it all, I tried it all, I saw it all, and I walked tall. Some things I would change but my walk with God no one can claim. My parents you say gave me more but it was their love that I adored.

I will miss you Daddy and Mummy, take care of my children, no your children now! Leriece my sister I know we were always cool even when circumstances seemed c ruel. I love you sis and will miss you. Bully, you may not be present but in your heart you will always feel my presence. Swaar Chezray, my swaar you know that you are the man. Love my sister, respect my parents. To Gran and family come on this eulogy does not confirm your collective hand in building me and making me.  In my life many mattered to those who thought over my matters, it now doesn’t matter.  I am walking away from this world. My job is done but my footsteps many streets will remember. The good times I had, the bad times we all have. Keep your journey on and let my short life cause you to reflect that its content converted into a full life, no more pots to bounce, no more books to study.  I am done. Let me be. My few bad habits remain in the sea; my many good ways remain in the stairways of Ogle road and other places. My Waarheid is here. This is Waar.

The family salutes, respects and thanks many who impacted Livonia’s life. Particularly, Levonia’s granny, Aunty Trudy, Michelle Short, Clint Short, Aunty Lorna, family in Mthatha, neighbours.

For those not mentioned. Knowing Levonia’s character you know if you need to be thanked because she knew how to say thank you and you heard it from her. In her own words, “Charisma is nothing without character.”

Marson said: When a wife is lost a widower is named, when a husband is lost you become a widow. There is no name for he who loses a child except to say that it is like sand in the mouth.

A family oasis he created, giving his all even when not appreciated. Many a thirst he quenched from a timeless fountain dedicated to look after his own.

He was the man to see, at his oasis he would be. If you needed a car or just travelling from afar.

Many he led to the Lord with a youthfulness in his communication, he always gave God the glory.

In his constant surround was his wife of 45 years and children that filled the large car.

His fruit we now see manifest has resulted in responsible, respectable seed.

With a collar marking his belong he never forgot to sing a song.

Working tirelessly for the throne and never moaned.

How fast time goes by as he fades to the sweet by and by. As heaven receives a hero, crowns and jewels are surely his due.

His business grew but the proceeds the extended family would benefit as a golden heart was his only gain.

The oasis stands as his family regroup to consider how to cherish a memory of an unforgettable life, a passionate father, loving husband. Adored Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchild.

A pastor, a teacher, a leader and yes a hero he was on earth, a hero in heaven he will be.

Lord grant us the courage to go on and be strong when our loved one is gone.

Memories we will cherish and our tears should not let us perish.

May the memories be lessons in order for us to be a lasting blessing to those who are still here.

Let us keep our disagreements few as we ponder on the things we have to do.

In a complex world, let us keep love simple.

Dear Lord, we will do wrong and sometimes do others wrong – let us repent and not walk around with resent.

We can be calm if we meditate on your Son; give us the grace, love and peace to be in the right with our space.

Amen!