Two pilots, Secunda businessman Martin Brown (33) and Indian national Mayank Mayank (27), died in two separate aeroplane crashes on October 15.

The two departed from Secunda Airfield en route to Margate when their planes crashed in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Brown’s aircraft, a Sling (ZU-PBC), was found in Nottingham Road last Wednesday afternoon, while the second plane was discovered near Dargle the following morning.

The KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said: “We express our deepest condolences to the families of the two pilots.”

Brown, the owner of DigiMag in Secunda, was well known in his community. He grew up in Secunda and began his company after matriculating from Hoërskool Secunda in 2010.

Brown attributed his success to “setting yourself goals that seem impossible at the time and then giving it your best to achieve them.”

When Brown completed his first solo helicopter flight in August 2020, he posted the following on Instagram: “Flying is essentially not about flying, it’s about landing.”

According to Christoff le Grange, owner of the Aviation Junction Flying School in Secunda, they received an emergency call on the radio from Brown on the day of the crash, and after that, both planes went missing.

The accidents and incidents investigation division is still investigating. Le Grange said on Friday that they would have more information later.

Brown received his licence to become an aeroplane pilot about a year and a half ago at the Aviation Junction Flying School. Brown’s parents, Toerien and Wilmarie Brown, said it was a big shock for them to hear the news of their son’s death.

“It is a pain that you cannot describe to anyone. Martin was a happy soul and a very adventurous person. He had travelled throughout the country with friends on a motorcycle and bakkie,” said Wilmarie.

His family will remember him as a people person who had a big circle of friends.

“He was always friendly, happy, and full of love. He had been dreaming about having his own business since he was a little boy. Martin made a big impact at DigiMag and was also much loved among his employees.”

Toerien said they could not think of a place in South Africa where Martin had not yet been.

“He liked hunting, and every winter we received an antelope to make biltong and dry wors,” said Toerien.

His mother described him as a family man who loved his family and said he took them to places they would never have been able to visit on their own.

“His interest in flying began in the last few years when he obtained his licences for helicopters and light aeroplanes, and he used any opportunity to fly,” said Wilmarie.

“We found peace in our hearts about his death and trust that God will carry us through this difficult time. His place among us will forever be empty, and he will be greatly missed. We will always cherish the good memories we shared with him.

“As believers, we believe that death is not the end, and where we reach a breaking point in our lives, it is God’s starting point. We found peace in our hearts about his death and trust that God will carry us through this difficult time. His place among us will forever be empty, and he will be greatly missed. We will always cherish the good memories we shared with him.

Wilmarie said she will end Martin’s funeral letter with the motto he lived by, found in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

The couple thanked everyone for the messages and support, and specifically the people from the flight school who helped them and kept them informed during the search for the aeroplanes. One of Brown’s close friends, PW Nel, said it was impossible to describe Martin in two or three sentences; he would need an entire library of books to describe him.

“I am grateful that I had the privilege of knowing him. He had the gift of making friends with anyone and everyone, and for me, Springbok rugby will never be the same without him.”

Brown’s memorial service will take place on October 24 at 10:00 at the Kruik Church. Mayank will be laid to rest in India.

ALSO READ: Accident involving a truck and an ambulance on the N17 near Kinross

ALSO READ: Four foreigners and a local man to appear in court for stock theft in Leandra