FOR over two decades, Allan Rugnanan has been a permanent fixture along the sidewalks of Florida Road.
On any given day, Rugnanan would be seen carrying a bunch of fresh roses and selling it to couples dining out on one of the restaurants along the precinct.
When news of his death broke last week, there was an outpouring of love and commiseration on social media platforms from Durban people who had met Rugnanan.
Some users commented on how Rugnanan was there on their first date with their lovers or how he tried to sell them roses after a drunken stupor and many other stories.
“At times it was like he was hitting on someone’s wife. He would come up to a couple and say to the woman, “you are as beautiful as this rose”. People used to get offended at first but eventually everyone got used to him and it was just good fun,” recalls Zane Jacobs, manager of Plated Cafe on Florida Road.
Marco Santoniccolo, representative of Spiga restaurant, said he had known Rugnanan since 2001 when he first set up his restaurant on Florida Road.
“He’s been here longer than me and seen me grow up and seen us do the worst of the worst things and the best of the best things,” said Santoniccolo.
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Santoniccolo said he used to work with Rugnanan for Valentine’s days and sporting events where he would sell his flowers.
“A humble oke, who worked hard. He would come in everyday, pick up his flowers at some store down there and start marching up and down here (on Florida Road) for hours on end. He knew all of us, our families and our stories,” said Santoniccolo.
Blessing Mtoli, manager of Empire, said he remembers Rugnanan as a gentleman who had good etiquette and respected customers.
“He never troubled us or the customers. If anyone wanted a rose, they would put up their hands and he’d come to them, simple,” said Mtoli.
Rinasha Rugnanan, Allan’s daughter, said she was surprised by how many people know him.
“I feel like I discovered a whole new side to him because as a parent he was very strict and formal with us but then when you see the stories on Facebook and what people are saying about him, it’s unbelievable,” she said.
Allan was 60 when he died from natural causes. He was laid to rest on the 20th in his hometown of Chatsworth. He leaves behind two daughters and a wife.
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