Life without Ludi
Ludi Vink (31), a man who stole thousands of people’s hearts, was brutally attacked on February 21, 2017, after he tried to stop a fight at Mitzy’s Pub in Randhart.
LUDI Vink (31), a man who stole thousands of people’s hearts, was brutally attacked on February 21, 2017, after he tried to stop a fight at Mitzy’s Pub in Randhart.
He died two days later.
The RECORD has been following the court proceedings where Daniel Jacobus Oliver is facing charges of murder.
It’s been a year and five months since his death and his family is still waiting for justice to be served.
Danlee Vink, his mother and a local hairdresser, was there the night he was attacked by Olivier. Olivier stabbed Vink in his right eye with a pool cue. The happenings were recorded on CCTV footage and the video was spread worldwide.
Vink was just back from overseas to renew his Visa when this happened.
In a previous interview Danlee told the RECORD that she felt her son’s death was also a lesson for others to rather not interfere or try to assist when there is a fight because you are the one that is going to get hurt.
“I must say I do have peace in my heart because I have forgiven the man who was responsible for the death of my son. Now I am just focusing on being the best grandmother to my daughter’s son, Johannes Lodewyk Steenekamp. I must go on and no words can describe the feeling of losing your child,” she said.
More than a year later she is still trying to take life day by day and said that the past year was just a tough year – a year in which she lost her son, then her stepson and also her best friend.
More than a year later Danlee describes the past year as devastatingly difficult in every aspect of her life; a soul breaking year in which she misses Ludi every minute of every day.
“There are no words to describe how much I miss my positive, loving, kind-hearted, deep child and artistic son. Just thinking of him devastates me,” she told the RECORD.
She has daily routines to keep Ludi’s memory alive.
“I say good morning and good night to him every day, but the last month I’ve been waking up in the morning talking to him as if he is here. I also have a candle with his face on it which I burn every night. If I had the change to tell him one last thing it would be that I, never in a million years thought losing him was possible. I miss him so much it physically hurts. I will never stop loving him … ever.
“I ask God every day if He could just please give me the strength to face the day, but to be honest, I am tired,” she said.
Also Read: BREAKING NEWS: Ludi Vink’s attacker hands himself in
She further told the RECORD she does not think time heals pain.
“It gets better but not easier. I would want other parents who lost their child to know time is never going to change your longing. You have to learn to change your life, as the life you knew is gone.
“Even working has been a great challenge for me after Ludi’s death. I think, being a hair stylist, clients don’t know how to handle the change in you, so they rather not face you and your pain. It has really been a real struggle as it affects my income,” Danlee said.
“People must be careful who they trust. Teach your children that there is bad in this world and value family and friends. My son’s favourite phrase was ‘Live each day with a leap of faith’.
“Be kind and caring towards people, as this is a tough, hard world. Always be good and kind. In other words, have a Ludi Vink spirit. My son’s memory will always be alive and I will make sure that it is kept alive,” Danlee concluded.
The trial will begin in October at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
Also Read:
[GRAPHIC VIDEO]: Man declared brain dead after brutal attack in Randhart pub
Ludi’s heart saves a patient in Cape Town
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