Ollie’s memory still lives on

The late Oliver Manickum’s legacy continues to live on as community members have come together to raise funds to erect a memorial bench.

The bench will be erected in Flamingo Park.
Business owners Ashleigh Hair and her mom Sheila announced they will contribute R5 for each mask and buff they sell until the end of June towards the initiative.

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Ashleigh said as a resident of Greenstone her mom was aware of the contributions made by Oliver, better known as ‘Ollie’, to the safety of the community. Oliver was an active CPF member. He died on October 28, 2019.

“Contributing to his bench is a wonderful idea. Although I did not know Oliver personally, I knew him as a very active community member. It’s important to remember him for all the good he did,” Ashleigh said.

Another business owner, Allison Savioli, came out and pledged to match Ashleigh’s offer of donating R5 from every order she receives for her Father’s Day gifts.

“I felt I should also give back and support the fund-raising for Oliver’s memorial bench. He worked hard to protect Edenvale,” said Allison.

The idea to erect the memorial bench was initiated by Tyron Coetzee.

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“Oliver inspired me. He was a self-sacrificing individual who would gladly help anyone. It is very rare to find individuals like Oliver,” said Tyron.

The organiser said he is overwhelmed with joy by the generosity of the community.
“It just goes to show that there are people who still care.”

The initial target for the bench project was R10 000.

“We surpassed this and the remainder of the funds will go to help Oliver’s wife. The bench will be erected in Flamingo Park, overlooking the dam,” said Tyron.

Tyron met Oliver in 2016.

“I joined the CPF because of his passion to keep our streets free of crime.”

“I believe his involvement also brought the overall crime rate down in the Edenvale and Greenstone areas.”
Tyron said it proves one person can make a difference in the community and that should not go unnoticed.