Farewell to ‘diamond’ friend
Former Pretoria beautician passed away on Wednesday morning due to Covid-19.
Pretoria resident and former beautician Stefan van Heerden (62) passed away on Wednesday morning after testing positive for Covid-19 the week before.
Stefan, who resided in Mayville, was described by his friends as “a diamond among the rocks”.
“I’m heartbroken that he’s gone,” said long-time friend Peter van Deventer.
“On 14 May, Stefan said he had flu. He had typical sinus and flu-like symptoms. He kept getting worse and finally went to test for Covid last week.”
Peter said Stefan tested positive for Covid last Friday and was admitted to hospital.
On Wednesday morning around 05:00, Stefan’s friends were informed that he had passed away.
“He was a caring person and really had a passion for people,” said another friend Graham Thomas.
Graham shared a 42-year-long friendship with Stefan, since they first met in Pretoria.
Stefan was born and raised in a small community in Tarkastad, Eastern Cape.
He matriculated at Tarkastad High School in 1977 and joined the SAPS in 1979.
“He worked at Johannesburg central police station, before he was transferred to Pretoria,” said Graham.
Stefan later left the SAPS to pursue his true passion: beauty and makeup artistry.
“He worked at Edgars for 33 years,” said another long-term friend Peter van Deventer.
“He was a brilliant beautician and I think a lot of his former colleagues will have fond memories of him.”
Graham and Peter said Stefan meant a great deal to the LGBTQ community as well.
“He was very outspoken and passionate about people’s rights,” said Peter.
Peter shared some of his fondest memories of Stefan, saying he would miss his friend’s smile the most.
“He really had a sparkling personality, but could also be very moody at times too,” said Peter laughing.
Stefan leaves behind two siblings and his “other family” of friends.
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