Trusted Nimrod Hardware employee killed by lightning
'I went to call our family members although our son said his father would not make it'
NIMROD Hardware employee Elias Mabokela was laid to rest on February 18 after being struck by lightning.
Mabokela (42) was struck by lightning while asleep with his wife in their Vusimuzi home in Tembisa on February 9.
The father of two and his wife, Joyce had arrived home at about 5pm that day and enjoyed dinner together.
“After we finished eating, my husband went to get a soft drink. At that time, it was about 8pm. He came back and all was still fine,” Joyce explained.
She said they then switched off their television and went to bed.
“A few minutes later, I heard the biggest bang of lightning. I heard him calling out and I tried helping him. He vomited and fainted,” his widow recalled.
“I went to call our family members for help. I also called our family in Phofu to come, although our son, who also witnessed the incident, said to me that his father would not make it.”
Unfortunately, the son’s words would soon become a reality.
After the family’s arrival, they decided to take him to a traditional doctor but Mabokela died a few minutes after their arrival.
At the time of his death, Mabokela had been working for Nimrod Hardware for 16 years.
EXPRESS spoke to Mabokela’s employer, Douglas Graham, who praised Mabokela’s work ethic and said he had become like family to them.
“He was an excellent employee and it came as a very big shock to us when we heard the news. We are like a family at work and it feels to me as if I have lost a son,” said Graham.
Mabokela started out as a yard worker and delivery man and worked himself up to one of the best salesmen in the business.
“The customers loved him and he was one of the most well-mannered and polite people I knew. I would like to thank all the customers for their condolences and cash donations towards Elias’ family, they appreciated it immensely. We will always remember him as one of the family and there are only good things to be said about Elias.”
Customers and fellow workers of Mabokela would like to send their condolences and prayers to his family.
He was laid to rest at his home village in Limpopo. Mabokela is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, two sisters and one brother.
