At the beginning of this week I was very saddened to hear of the death of Alfred, the Selcourt Spar Car Guard who has, for many years, helped me and my family, to carry our parcels to our cars and to watch over our cars while busy in the various shops at Selcourt.
Whenever I needed anyone to help with little jobs at home he was always willing to help and did everything with a smile and a joke.
I was told that he had flu and was taken to hospital where he passed away.
I am especially sad because I do not even know Alfred’s surname.
He often spoke of his brother “Oupa” and he also spoke of a child who he needed school stuff for.
Whenever I would go to Spar at Selcourt I would look for him and if he wasn’t there either Gugu or one of the other car guards would tell me he was a bit late or busy with something but invariably he was always there to show you a parking spot or help carry your purchases.
I so admired him because he didn’t turn to crime to exist.
There must be so many people like him in this country but he chose to do what he could to exist and did it with a
great sense of humour.
He would always smile and wave when he saw me and I thought what courage to be like that with his very difficult existence.
Our country has failed for Alfred and all like him – he so often spoke of one day having “a job” and at one stage started a car wash to survive but it didn’t last long unfortunately.
There but for the Grace of God – Rest In Peace Alfred – you deserve God’s Peace.
Bruce Gardner
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