‘Pigeon boy’ Thato, dies

The community is stunned by Thato’s sudden death

Thato featured in the City Times in 2017.

The community is mourning the death of the vagrant Thato Hutang, affectionately known as ‘pigeon boy.’

For the past eight years, Thato could be found at the intersection of Great North Road and Fifth Avenue, Farrarmere, surrounded by pigeons that he meticulously shared his food with while conversing with his feathered friends.

The City Times reported in 2017 that Thato, originally from Daveyton, had been seriously injured when he was struck by a car in 2004.

Thato was first seen weaving between cars asking for food or donations in 2014.

A memorial has been erected at the traffic light, at the corner of Main Reef Road and Fifth Avenue, where Thato sat with his birds.

The kindness he showed towards pigeons, lovingly sharing his meagre morsels of food with them, won the hearts of many Benonians, who ensured that Thato and his birds received food daily.

According to ward 28 councillor Mary Goby, Thato had become noticeably weak over the past three weeks.

“He was often seen being carried to his spot by a friend, who lived under the Bunyan Street bridge with him,” she said.

“Several efforts were made to get Thato to the clinic, but he refused as he needed to tend to his birds.”

On August 26, Thato was rushed to hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

Thato and his flock. Photo: Talana van Tonder

According to Goby, no one is certain how old the beloved vagrant was.

“Both Thato’s parents passed away and he was left in the care of his uncle,” said Goby.

“Following a string of abuses suffered at the hands of his uncle, Thato ran away from home and took up residence under the bridge.”

She said that several attempts were made to locate the uncle in order to get Thato’s birth certificate so that he could be registered for a disability grant, but efforts were futile.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Anton Koen, owner of NoJack Vehicle Tracking, described Thato as an inspiration.