On Wednesday, Boeta Achmat Davids and his wife Gaironiesa of Mitchells Plain would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
But sadly, the 74-year-old, who was a well-known fruit and vegetable hawker in Mitchells Plain, passed away after contracting Covid-19.
The pensioner was a familiar face in the Rocklands and Westridge community, where he’d been trading for more than 15 years in his white Nissan bakkie.
Boeta Achmat died on Thursday, just one week after being hospitalised, while his wife, 73, is in a stable condition in hospital.
The couple have six children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
BOTH ILL: Boeta Achmat and wife in ambulance
Their son, Abduragiem Davids, 43, took to Facebook to announce his father’s
passing.
His post received over 2.8k likes and nearly 1000 comments.
Boeta Achmat fed hundreds of destitute families and loved to donate to good causes.
Abduragiem, who lives a few doors away from his parents, says about a week ago, his dad who had diabetes, started having difficulty breathing.
“About a week ago, just before 1am, he gave me a phone call. He said my mother is sick and I rushed to their home,” he says.
“My mother’s blood sugar levels were low and he didn’t complain about himself, but I could see something was wrong.”
He says the next day all the siblings went to the house and found their dad gasping for air.
“My dad was weak and lying on the bed. He was short of breath and crying.
“We didn’t know what was wrong, but we were cautious because of their age and the symptoms they had.
He said they called the ambulance and a paramedic told them Achmat was showing signs of Covid-19.
His father was placed on a ventilator, but was too weak and died.
“We have no idea where he picked up the virus.
“My mom is still in the hospital. She is not on a ventilator like my dad was,” the hartseer man says.
He says his father’s sudden death came as a huge shock.
“I rushed home to prepare for the janaazah, which took place the same day,” says Abduragiem.
“We are still trying to get our heads around it.
“I am sure if it was not for this virus, and lockdown, it would have been a massive janaazah.”
SHOCK: Son Abduragiem
He says his father leaves behind a legacy of brotherhood, humility and generosity.
“If there was a funeral where one of his customer’s relatives passed away, he would supply them with fruit and vegetables and whatever he can.”
“He used to feed those in need and make sure there was a pot of food for others.”
Before his retirement, Achmat worked in the City of Cape Town’s health department.