Residents of Ferndale should acknowledge the good done by Erwin Schwentzek, one of the suburb’s most passionate proponents for service delivery and justice, who recently passed away.
Schwentzek died peacefully in his home in Ferndale, from pneumonia at the age of 70, on 20 August.
His funeral was held at Doves Randburg in Strijdom Park on 27 August.
German-born Schwentzek came to South Africa when he was 19 years old and immediately fell in love with Africa. He served on the committee of the Bryanfern Resident’s Association, and the Ward 104 committee, bringing attention to numerous problems in Ferndale. He worked with authorities and the media to resolve these problems, and frequently wrote passionate opinion letters to newspapers around Gauteng.
Some of the most recent issues he fought for were the saving of the Arboretum , Ferndale Post Office’s closure and an allegedly dangerous wall alongside Oxford Street. Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood was one of the eulogists. “We can honour his memory by making this a better land,” Wood said.
Schwentzek’s adopted son Thabo Nyaku (18) also spoke.
“He tried to help everyone else,” Nyaku said. “He single-handedly wanted to change South Africa.”
Bryanfern Resident’s Association Chairperson Ian Leo said in an email that Schwentzek’s criticisms and complaints in the face of adversity did not always gain him friends, but instead of this concerning him it strengthened his resolve to fight against the suburb’s problems.
Schwentzek was cremated on 28 August and his ashes will return to Germany, where his 94-year-old mother still lives.
Details: Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood 082 853 2174; Bryanfern Resident’s Association bryanfernra@gmail.com
Doves Randburg 011 792 1404.
