The Bloemfontein community recently had to bid farewell to three prominent figures who had a great impact on society in the City of Roses. Messages of condolences have been streaming in on the different social media platforms after Chairman of the OFM board of directors, Reverend Kiepie Jaftha, passed away on Tuesday morning.
According to his son-in-law, William Valentine, “Oupa Kiepie” will be remembered for his kind heart and as someone who always stood up for what is right, regardless of the situation he was placed in. Jaftha will be remembered by many as a giant of immense wisdom and wit.
“He was a man who was never afraid to address the elephant in the room.” Valentine added that the messages on social media show the impact Jaftha had on people across the world. “He believed that your circumstances should never define you and that you can become anything that you set your heart to. He believed that everyone should set goals for themselves and work towards them.”
Central Media Group CEO, Nick Efstathiou, says that Kiepie Jaftha was a giant of a man, who led the OFM board for a very long time. “He was also very involved in the community and will be deeply and sorely missed.” Efstathiou said that Jaftha was a bright and educated man and that his counsel meant so much to him as well as the other people.
The sudden passing of Pater Georgios Tsiftsis has deeply touched the Hellenic community of Bloemfontein. Tsiftsis was ordained in 2015 as a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, returning to the Hellenic Community of Bloemfontein, his second home, where he served until his untimely passing. George Koupis, a Hellenic community member, said Pater Georgios was a loving husband and above all, a dedicated father. Yet, he found so much time to devote himself unconditionally to their community and his extended family. “He made time for us as our spiritual father, a teacher to our children, and as a friend to many. He managed to, over the span of 22 years, raise more than one generation of Hellenes, who in some cases were blessed to have their children christened by him. He always had time for those in need and took out of his own salary on many occasions to assist,” Koupis said.
The Hellenic community is especially grateful to the medical staff of Mediclinic Bloemfontein and has expressed that they cannot truly convey in words their gratitude for all that was done to try and save their spiritual father. During the days of struggle when Pater Georgios was in ICU, the community was continuously kept informed of his progress.
“We as a community salute these lifesaving individuals. They are overlooked up until the day comes that one needs them.” Koupis concluded, “Pater Georgios has left a legacy of love, contentment and passion. The Hellenes in Bloemfontein now hold the responsibility to continue this legacy in practice at home, when conducting business, and in the community. May his memory remain eternal.”
The city also lost the very talented saxophonist, Alec Norkie on Wednesday morning. Norkie became a musician at the age of 14.
According to his daughter, Charlene Jacobs, her father always made the right first impression on people. “He touched people’s hearts through his music and was extremely humble.” She said he was a gentle man who was grateful for everything and everyone. “He was very dedicated and faithful to projects and to his band mates in the Alex Combo Band..” She added her father will be fondly remembered as a sincere and good man with a good heart.
Norkie took his last blow on his saxophone on the first day of 2021 when, despite his pain, he passionately blew a few notes for his family. “Rest in Peace, Dede. You will be dearly missed,” said Jacobs.
Sazly Hartzenberg / Heidre Malgas
