Stephan Lehman
Despite only being a grade eight learner, Kimolin Pillay’s mother described him as the “man of the house”.
“I depended on him for a lot,” said Mogie Pillay, who is a single mother.
The Edenglen learner of 13 died on April 20 after he was struck by a motor vehicle. He was walking home when he was hit by a car.
Kimolin later died in hospital.
“It still hasn’t hit me though. I’ve got so much going on around me at the moment,” said Mogie.
While remembering her son, Mogie said he was a happy young man, a person she relied on and someone who was always smiling.
Mogie said Kimolin had lived a man’s life in a child’s body.
His mother described him as being a compassionate and loving child.
“If I was busy in the kitchen he would come and hug me, even if my hands were dirty he would tell me to hug him back, I’ll miss that,” said Mogie.
“My life revolved around him.”
Kilmolin had been a popular teenager amongst the community and at school.
His mother told the NEWS that Kimolin had always been with a group of friends or spending time with his family.
She said her son was always helping his friends and trying to teach them new skills.
“When he was alone at home he would never get bored. He always kept himself busy with his passion for music,” said Mogie.
She believes her son aspired to be a musician or had hoped to work in the music industry.
She said while he was at home he would be meshing songs and making various sounds on his computer.
Mogie added that her son could also play the drums and had received a distinction in his drum exams.
“I was so proud of him.”
According to Mogie, Kimolin found his passion for the drums when he was just three years old.
“I remember, we went to church and when it was time to leave we couldn’t find him. We searched all over but when we found him he was behind the drum set,” said Mogie.
After realising her son had a passion for music, Mogie signed her son up for drum lessons.
She believes church was the platform which gave Kimolin the opportunity to find his passion for music.
She said Kimolin, who was a member of the church band, continued playing the drums after he joined Edenglen High and even played the instrument at the school’s Valentine’s Day breakfast.
Kimolin was meant to complete another set of drum exams this year.
However because of the holidays in March, the examination was postponed for June.
“Once Kimolin entered high school he matured a lot. He became more responsible and knew he had certain responsibilities,” said Mogie.
She said he just matured and accelerated mentally and emotionally.
She hopes to speak to the teachers who taught Kimolin and hear what they knew about him.
“I am still hoping to be a big part of the school,” said Mogie.
She hopes to offer strength and assistance to other parents or children who have suffered a loss.
“Kimolin made me stronger both physically and emotionally. My son would have wanted me to support others and to be an inspiration to them,” said Mogie.
She said moving forward will be hard.
She thanked the community and Edenglen High School for all the support received.
“The support has been awesome. The church played a big role in assisting me. They took care of everything,” said Pillay.
Add to action – Read Edenglen High School’s tribute to Kimolin by visiting our website
