In loving memory of a community stalwart
Witpoortjie Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Philanthropist and Crime Fighter.
The Van Staden family is mourning the death of their beloved mother and grandmother, Wilna (62), who was actively involved in many outreach programmes and patrolling activities in Witpoortjie.
According to her daughter Susan van Staden, her mother was also involved in raising funds at the NG Kerk Witpoortjie and was part of the burial society funerals. She says she also patrolled the area alongside the Witpoortjie Emergencies Crime Prevention volunteer unit.
“She has a big heart for the community and was very well-known. God gave us the best mom. She was always there for everyone and always willing to help no matter the situation.
“She was protective, and we knew that we could talk to her about anything,” she says.
Brandon Kincaid, one of the volunteers at the volunteer unit, says they started patrolling with Wilna four years ago when they started the non-profit organisation.
“When my wife [Dorothy] started to work with the underprivileged children in the community, she [Wilna] got very hands-on assisting her and raising vital funds for them.
“She was a very kindhearted person, and whenever she would spot suspicious activities in the street, the first person she would call would be me. If she had the means to help someone, she would.
“We will remember her as someone who cared for her community,” Kincaid says.
Wilna will be laid to rest on Thursday, January 16, and the Roodepoort community extends its deepest condolences to Wilna’s family and friends.
