Sad farewell to Morningside’s friendly face

BEGGAR Rusty de Winnaar, who has become a familiar sight in Morningside over the years, went to his ‘mansion in heaven’ last Wednesday night, 9 July.

Rusty, who was diagnosed with Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) five years ago, would be seen begging at the intersection of Sandile Thusi (Argyle) and Lilian Ngoyi (Windermere) Roads most days.

He was described by those who knew him as a ‘man with a heart of gold’ and was well-known and loved by people in the community.

Berea Mail first covered an article on Rusty in July 2018, when residents started a fundraising page to help him pay his rent.

Rusty would leave his rented room in town at around 4am every morning to arrive at the intersection at 5.30am and would sit there until about 1pm.

Through the article, people became aware of his plight and his background, and would spend time talking to the man who had a wealth of knowledge and who was an inspiration.

Rusty was forced into begging after a work injury in 2011.

Thereafter he started car guarding, however five years later he was diagnosed with cancer.

Despite this, Rusty decided to concentrate on the blessings he had, something that inspired all who knew him.

He said doctors were amazed that he had lived so long with cancer and he had been convinced it was his positive attitude that kept him going.

His comment in 2018: “I feel that I can complain and remain, or praise and be raised, it is a simple choice” summed up the person he was.

His positivity was something that will stay with the staff from Limitless IV Therapy and Wellness Morningside, a company which stepped up to help Rusty with his health in March 2019.

He received free treatments to help manage his pain and to boost his immunity, and by June he was excited to report weight gain and the fact he had gone from stage 3 to stage 2 cancer.

ALSO READ: Community rallies to raise funds for Morningside beggar

“Limitless IV Therapy and Wellness Morningside bids farewell to our hero. Rusty was an amazing human being who was larger than life. He was always positive, accepted his illness and considered every day that he was alive a blessing. In the one and half years that we got to know him, he touched our lives with his humility, resilience and sheer tenacity. He crept into our hearts and he will be remembered fondly for we have lost a friend and our ambassador. Rest well my friend. And in his own words: ‘one day I will be in my mansion in heaven’. He is now there,” said Fatima Olgar from Limitless.

Rusty’s next of kin is being sought so that he can be buried.

According to a friend, Rusty has an ex-wife and three children who live in Durban, however they lost contact a long time ago. If anyone can help with information, they are urged to contact Rose on 079 046 8999.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green ([email protected]) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff ([email protected]).

Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.