For the children and personnel of Weiveld Agricultural School, he was Oom Zandi. A man for whom no task was ever too small or too big. For more than 25 years, Sandile Aaron Jhekemba worked at the school.

His death on October 20 came only months before he was due to retire at the end of the year. Ntate Zandi loved the school.

“He was a father figure to many of us. All the learners have been writing about the significant role he played in their lives,” school personnel on Wednesday said in a tribute to him. “Mr Zandi was the person who faithfully transported staff members to school in the staff bus, navigating the terrible, wet roads without ever making us feel unsafe. He was well loved and always friendly.”

He lost his wife when his children were still very young, and raised them on his own.

His kindness, hard work, and bright smile will always be remembered. He touched the lives of many, and will forever live in the hearts and memories of the Weiveld School community.