AMOS KOMENI

● Cape Town councillor Amos Komeni had a long-standing “contest” with his cousin and namesake. At family gatherings, Komeni said, his elder cousin would force relatives to call him by his second name, and they would have a good laugh.

The elder Komeni, 60, who died of Covid19 on April 30 after 24 days in hospital, was a projects administrator in the office of deputy parliamentary speaker Lechesa Tsenoli. He was affectionately known as Bra A in parliament, and to his cousin he was Bhuti.

“When I was born, my parents didn’t know that my uncle also named his son Amos,” said Komeni. “We called each other by our clan name, Mtshatshu, unless there were other people, then he would insist they call me by my second name, Liwadini.”

Komeni said his cousin had been looking forward to retirement and “wanted to buy a smallholding around Cape Town and a herd of cattle because he loved farming”.

“We could not trace how he got infected because he did not display the symptoms. UBhuti was among the people who cautioned us about this virus. He emphasised that we must not roam around because Covid-19 is no laughing matter,” he said.

“We are up against a faceless enemy. If the coronavirus was a human being, I would say it should burn in hell.”

The elder Komeni was buried on Friday. Tsenoli said Komeni had served his office with “utmost dedication and diligence”.

“This invisible enemy has robbed us of a humble, gentle giant, a dignified professional who was a role model for many younger employees. He was a gentleman who always went beyond the call of duty. He was also an activist, and an active member of the South African Communist Party,” he said.