VAALPARK – Nearly a year after a devastating crash claimed the lives of Sewkumar Rajkaran ‘Rajesh’ or ‘Smiley’ Sukhari, his wife Shanitha, and their daughters, Trisha and Nicole, four memorial plaques have been erected at the accident site.
The tragedy occurred on Diwali on October 20, 2025, when the vehicle they were travelling in was struck head-on by a white bakkie on the R59 near Vaalpark.
Vinesh Sukhari, Rajesh’s brother, said a circulating video showed the other driver travelling recklessly and swerving into oncoming traffic before the collision.
He added that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and also died at the scene. According to Vinesh, the family has received no apology from the driver’s family.
Surrounded by flowers, the tribute carries the words “Four Stars in the Night” and bears an Aum symbol, each loved one’s name, and the words “Forever in Our Hearts.”
A recent memorial ceremony was held according to Hindu rites, attended by more than 300 people, following a funeral that drew over 2 000 attendees and 20 000 online viewers from around the world.
During the ceremony, Vinesh spoke on behalf of his surviving siblings and the wider Sukhari family, thanking relatives and friends for the support that has helped them through their grief.
He recalled receiving the heartbreaking news on October 21, 2025, and spoke of the painful daily reminders of their absence, including caring for the family cat and managing their personal belongings.
Family members remembered Rajesh as a resilient and hardworking man who excelled at school, qualified as a fitter and turner through an apprenticeship at Iscor in Newcastle, and later worked at Sasol before joining the family business.
Shanitha was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, while Trisha was celebrated for her love of modelling.
She was a finalist in the 2019 ZEE TV Miss India South Africa Gauteng competition, where she won the Fresh Look award.
Nicole was honoured as a cherished daughter and sister whose life remains a deeply missed part of the family’s shared memories.
