Drowned man fondly remembered

THE death of avid angler Morgan Govender as a result of Saturday’s gale force winds has devastated his family and friends.

Govender, who worked at the Panorama Recovery Centre in Pietermaritzburg, was fishing at Albert Falls Dam when he was pushed by strong winds into the dam.

Speaking just hours before Govender’s funeral on Monday, his assistant, Yoshan Singh, told POST that Govender had helped him at a time when he was shunned by his family and the community.

“No one wanted me but he pushed me and showed me a brand new way of life.

“This centre that I am at is only successful because of the hard work and dedication of Morgan. “He carried us all.” Monty Reddy, another employee at the centre, which provides rehabilitation services for the youth and adults struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, said Govender was a “kingpin” at the centre.

“He was one of the main supervisors and he dedicated 10 years of his life here, as a volunteer.

“He loved to be with people and loved inspiring them and helping them and sometimes even just listening to their stories.

“We don’t even know how to go on without him. He handled the cooking and the running of the centre.

“He would sometimes even dedicate his Christmas to be here at the centre,” he said.

“He touched a lot of hearts and gave hope to the hopeless.”