Fitting farewell for Sodwana Bay legend

MANY tears were shed as family, friends and loved ones gathered to pay their final respects and share tributes to legend in local fishing circles, John ‘Matambu’ Dercksen.

The memorial for the man who disappeared, and is presumed deceased, on 16 March took place at Sodwana Bay Ski Boat Club at 11am today (Sunday).

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Taking to the podium and unable to contain the emotion of the day, Matambu’s sister Cherie Eilertsen delivered a heart-warming tribute to her ‘larger than life’ brother.

“I’d give anything and everything to have him back,” she said.

Forced to say farewell without a body or a coffin, Eilertsen said, “We are heartbroken, this has changed each of us.”

Speaking about the events following Matambu’s disappearance, his nephew, Michael Eilertsen, thanked the thousands of people who took part in the air, land and sea searches, and the 150 lodge owners who helped get word of the suspect on the run into the rural areas.

From all the speakers at the memorial, the common thread was shared sentiments of Matambu’s generosity and kind-heartedness, and the large void he has left in many lives.

Read this week’s ZO Weekender for full coverage and an update on the suspect on the run, Ferdie Visser.

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