‘A promise is kept’: Polokwane rocks on in memory of Neville
A special song was performed by Etcetera band at the Sterkloop Lapa on Saturday, 29 August - Neville's favourite song.
POLOKWANE – A special song was performed by Etcetera band at the Sterkloop Lapa on Saturday, 29 August – Neville’s favourite song.
The promise
A promise was kept when the Etcetera band performed at the Sterkloop Lapa on Saturday, 29 August even if the young man who this promise was made to could not make his own planned gig.
The promise unofficially started when Etcetera received a Facebook request for a private jamming session in Polokwane earlier this year. The sender of the message was a young musician by the name of Neville jr de Beer (18) who loved the band’s music so much that he desired to play with them. Before the band could reply to his request they received the news that Neville was in a serious car accident on 13 May and was fighting for his life.
While following the progress he was making the band then received the sad news that Neville had lost his fight and died on Saturday, 27 June. This then sparked a promise from the band to fulfill Neville’s wish for the jamming session but to then play in honour of their young fan.
This promise came true on 29 August when family and friends gathered at the Lapa to celebrate Neville’s life that was taken too soon. Loved-ones fought back the tears and some simply cried out loud when video clips were played to celebrated Neville’s life and notably when the band opened the stage with one of his favourite songs.
Neville remembered by all
“On 17 August Neville would have turned 19 years old and we would have loved to spend it with him. We would have love to take him to many concerts and dance the nights away with him, but tonight we can dance in celebration of him and remember all the fun times which make it even more special,” said Johann Bekker, a close friend.
“He loved music and there is no better way to say goodbye to him while enjoying the music he loved,” added his friend.
The band members of Etcetera were also touched by the spirit of how the story unfolded. “There is no way to describe the blessings we have received since making good on our promise to celebrate the love of music and the love for young Neville.
Message from the band
“We joined in on the joy and tears while celebrating his life…to see how much he changed people’s lives made the evening very special for us. We hope that everyone who cried and laughed with us will find the strength and comfort in knowing that he is in a better place now. We are sure he joined us for the party on Saturday,” they said.
