The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) is in mourning after the loss of co-founder and executive member Dennis Petersen.
Petersen, 53, from Kensington, suffered a massive stroke on Saturday.
He was being treated at Somerset Hospital, where he passed away on Monday.
His partner was by his side while his friends and family held a vigil in the parking lot of the hospital.
The father of four, who also has two grandchildren, was the Chief Operating Officer of the KKKA and was passionate about the upliftment and transformation of his community.
He was a founder of a youth football club in Factreton and in his earlier years used football as a means to get young boys off the streets and involved in healthy activities.
The chairperson of the KKKA, Muneeb Gambeno, tells the Daily Voice: “He once told me that it came about after a particular bad flare up of gangsterism that he felt compelled to create something positive for the boys who got caught up in that particular wave and those waves which were to follow.
“It is the same soccer club that formed the basis of his beloved Kenfac Entertainers.”
Petersen was previously a member of the Penny Pinchers All Stars, where he met the president and co-founder of the KKKA, Melvyn “Melly” Matthews.
The two founded the KKKA in 2005, as well as the Western Cape Street Bands, a development company, and the two men became close friends and allies, striving for the recognition, development and promotion of the Kaapse Klopse as a cultural group with a huge following.
The KKKA would go on to become the organisers of the Cape Town Street Carnival, aka Tweede Nuwe Jaar.
Gambeno adds: “Dennis was soft spoken and very private about his personal life. However, he was very proud and vocal about his children and grandchildren.
“Dennis and I would have multiple cups of coffee discussing the career trajectories of his kids Rugshanah Morkel, Yasser Malander, Tamzyn Bird and Kirsten Bird.
“After long days working on KKKA related matters, he would call me to say that he is doing his “second shift” – doing homework with the younger Tamzyn and Kirsten.
“He was exceptionally proud of all of them. He was devoted to his children.”
An emotional Matthews says his friend was the strong silent type who did a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.
“He was a highly intelligent man, deeply analytical and exceptionally hard-working.
“More so, he was a gentleman, loyal, generous, always wanting the best for others, often giving away his last so that others could have,” Matthews says.