A mother has found comfort in the knowledge that her late son lives on in two diamonds.
Lynette van Zyl had given the ashes of her late son, WG Van Zyl, to a Swiss company to make synthetic diamonds from the carbon created during the cremation process.
WG died in a horrific motorcycle accident in Solomon Mahlangu Drive last year when he hit the back of a bakkie that was making U-turn.
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The diamonds were made from the 20% carbon in her son’s remains.
The emotional and teary Van Zyl told Rekord that receiving the diamonds was a big moment for her because she felt like she had her son back home.
“It is still difficult to come to terms with losing my beloved son, but this gives us a bit of joy as a family to have WG home and close to us,” said Van Zyl.
WG’s younger sister, Leandri said it was precious that her big brother was a diamond.
“This is something that I will keep with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
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“My brother was as valuable as a diamond to me and this will be a memory of him that I will have forever.”
Gavin Blok, representing the Swiss company, said the technology was relatively new but it is something people should consider.
“Diamonds are forever … it will stay with you forever.”
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