Tribute to loved friend killed in Ontdekkers Road accident

An instant of time on a routine commute left directions of lives permanently altered.

A horrific accident along Ontdekkers Road on the morning of July 30 claimed the life of two men – a 33-year-old motorcyclist and the pedestrian who was struck while crossing the busy main arterial. At the time, the identity of the pedestrian was unknown but subsequent searching by those close to the man has revealed his identity to be Meshak Mwalimo, a 44-year-old Malawian national.

Read initial article here: Fatalities confirmed after Friday morning accident on Ontdekkers Road

By Sunday evening, friends and employers, the Hendrikz family, became concerned as Meshak had not returned home. The following Monday flyers were posted in an effort to locate Meshak but no news came. “We were then made aware of the article in which the accident was described. Because the time stamp matched up with his last activity on WhatsApp and because it was in the similar location to which he travelled to get to work, it became obvious that it could have been him involved in the accident. We then approached the mortuary and were presented with the horrendous news,” detailed Ryan Hendrikz.

Meshak’s life was dedicated to earning money that could be sent to his home country to support his family. “He lived here in abject poverty to provide his family with 90% of his income. His was the ultimate act of selflessness and sacrifice. He was last home nine years ago and missed his children with his whole heart, but he would not spend money that could be used to feed and educate them on going back as this would prolong his time in South Africa,” explained Ryan, who had known Meshak for nine years.

Meshak had had jobs as an electronics assembly worker, school security guard, general handyman and most recently, a team captain at a commercial and industrial solar construction business. Meshak leaves behind an ex-wife, his two biological children, a stepson that he loved very much, as well as his mother, father and his new girlfriend here in South Africa.

Ryan paid an emotional final goodbye, saying “Meshak was a modern-day hero, a man with a massive burden on his shoulder who never ever complained and always smiled. Meshak will be greatly missed by anyone and everyone who ever met him. This was a real man. His parents and children can and must be proud of him. Rest easy now friend, I will never forget you.”