‘Bartlett said his goodbyes in a joyous mood’
Friends recall top actor’s happy final moments
One of the things TV and stage actor Jamie Bartlett wanted to do was to open a food outlet in Soweto, his friend Mpho Molepo has revealed.
Molepo, who appeared alongside Bartlett on e.tv’s
Rhythm City, said as a result, Bartlett visited about six chisanyama in the township to learn about how they operate.
Bartlett who played David Genaro on Rhythm City and Mike O’Reilly on SABC3’s
Isidingo died on Monday.
Molepo said what people did not know about Bartlett was that he was “a cook of note”.
“He wanted to own a restaurant. So, I took him on this tour and he was happy. He enjoyed Soweto because he would tell me many times that he had breakfast at Vilakazi [Street, Orlando West].
“Jamie wanted to do a lot, including a podcast and he was excited about it. He called me on Friday, telling me about his podcast and he wanted me to feature in it. I could not believe it when I got a call yesterday that he is no more.”
Molepo described Bartlett as a happy person who loved people. He said Bartlett would arrive at his family gatherings and ask for an apron and assist in cooking.
“He was that kind of a guy. He hugged and kissed freely.”
Businessman and Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo shared how Bartlett spread love at 012 Lifestyle Restaurant in Brooklyn, Pretoria, on Sunday night.
Mhlongo shared pictures and videos of Bartlett going around greeting, hugging and kissing staff and customers. The thespian was invited to make an appearance at the restaurant by Mhlongo, a Sunday resident chef at the venue.
According to Mhlongo, Bartlett invited himself to people’s tables, greeted a lot of people at the venue, went around hugging and kissing staff and customers.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Mhlongo said it still felt unreal that a man he had a conversation with on Sunday night was no more.
“The way he enjoyed chatting to people [there], it was difficult to make him sit down at our table.
“When he finally sat down, we spoke at length. Jamie was excited about the future... He told me that he wanted to focus on making appearances and make money out of that. He is one of the few actors who are loved by both white and black people,” Mhlongo said.
“It showed at the restaurant when he would go to people’s tables to greet them. I told him that it is fine that you are here and they see you.
“But he insisted to greet each and every person. He was excited about the venue and told me that he has visited 13 venues to meet people.
“He wanted us to talk more about collaborating as chefs and sharing recipes. We said we were going to meet next week and finalise everything.”
Mhlongo said looking back at how Bartlett was spreading love on the night, he was actually saying his goodbyes.
“He enjoyed mogodu and steamed bread or idombolo with his Scotch whisky at the restaurant,” he said.
The multitalented Mhlongo said he left the seasoned actor at the venue around 8pm and he was still having fun.
“I think we owe Jamie flowers and an apology. We could not recognise and celebrate him while he was still alive. I am sorry to him because I am part of those that did not give him his flowers.”
The restaurant’s kitchen manager Tlamelo Monchusi said Bartlett arrived at the venue with a female friend.
“He was so happy and greeted everyone. You did not have to go to him. He came to the kitchen and I was busy. He came to me and gave me a hug and I just could not believe it.
“To us, it was surprising to see a celebrity loving people this way. We even played him the David Genaro song and he was singing along.
“When we received the news yesterday, there was this moment of quietness among the staff. We were really shocked. We were with him until 10pm. I think he knew that he was leaving and all the love he shared was a way to say goodbye.”
Bartlett’s friend, communications executive Matlapulana Ragoasha, said he loved deeply. “As a young publicist I worked with Jamie on Rhythm City; he was always generous with his time, words of wisdom and humour. He made the atmosphere easy for everyone. He was all about self-worth and seeing people’s value. I had many moments with Jamie that were memorable.”