South Coasters mourn popular Selvan Rathnam
Selvan was, among many other things, described as a warm, fun-loving, jovial and witty person who would do anything for his family and friends.
Selvan Rathnam (56), of Oslo Beach, who died on December 31 last year, was a true South Coaster who will be sorely missed.
His funeral was held at Gate Ministries in Port Shepstone on January 2, where hundreds of mourners came to pay tribute to a man who touched many lives.
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He was very popular and, during his life, was usually at the forefront of some exciting, interesting and innovative idea or plan. Selvan was one of five siblings – he had three sisters and a brother.
He married the love of his life, Linda. It was love at first sight and he pursued her relentlessly from the moment they first met. They had two sons, Keegan and Jordache, who both shared heart-felt messages at the service.
Selvan was, among many other things, described as a warm, fun-loving, jovial and witty person who would do anything for his family and friends.
As a boy, he attended Jai Hind Primary and later Port Shepstone Secondary.
After school, Selvan first worked at Carbo Chem in Newcastle and then moved back home, to work at Illovo Sugar in Port Shepstone.
He carved out a career there for 26 years before spending spent two years at Illovo Malawi and, later, another two in Mozambique, working for a Brazilian company.
In between this Selvan, known as an exceptional cook, opened his own take-away in Ramsgate.
Music was another of his passions and many of his younger days were spent as a deejay at Disco Eruption.
In his youth, Selvan was a talented soccer player who scored goals and provided assists for local teams Port Shepstone Town, Ashburton and Barcelona.
He was a die-hard Liverpool fan and it is perhaps ironic that, having waited so long to see his beloved team win the league again, that he should die half way through the season.
Perhaps he had complete confidence that the Reds already have a big enough lead and that victory is merely a matter of time.
There was, fittingly, a guard of honour from fellow Liverpool fans for the family at the end of the service.
It was a poignant reminder to the family that, despite what has happened, they ‘will never walk alone’.
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