Owner of Licorish Bistro and girlfriend pass away
BRYANSTON - The owner of Nicolway Shopping Centre's Licorish Bistro, Jacques Fourie, and his girlfriend Samantha Wilson were killed in a traffic collision in Hartbeespoort on 9 November.
According to a close family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, they were riding a motorbike on the R512 when a Mercedes Vito did an alleged illegal U-turn and caused the two victims to crash into the back of the car.
“It is common knowledge that motorbikes are dangerous, but in this case Jacques and Sam were innocently enjoying an outing on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in our beautiful city and had their young and talented lives snuffed out in a second because of a driver that couldn’t be prepared to wait until the next intersection to turn safely and legally,” said the family friend.
On 10 November, the Licorish Bistro confirmed their passing and wrote on their Facebook page, “It is with deep regret and sorrow that we have to say ‘goodbye’ to our dear and highly respected friend and colleague Chef Jacques Fourie and his girlfriend Samantha Wilson, who tragically passed away yesterday.”
Manager at Licorish Bistro, Richard Day said Fourie’s death is a tragic loss that has come as a complete shock for all their employees. He added, “He was a very honest and generous person and he’ll be greatly missed.”
Manager of Flight Centre Nicolway, where Wilson worked, Francois Du Toit said, “It’s very sad that it happened and all of us are trying to cope as best we can. She was the life of the office, very bubbly, happy and full of life.”
A flood of Facebook messages were posted on the Licorish Bistro page with customers and friends paying their respects. Commenter Sanli Jooste, a supervisor at the Nicolway Exclusive Books, said, “This is awful news. He [Jacques Fourie] used to give us at Exclusive Books free food for no reason other than because he felt like it. And he was one of the only people at Nicolway I could just chat in Afrikaans with. Such an amazing person and chef. I really can’t believe this. My condolences to his friends, family and staff, who I know admired him greatly.”
You will be greatly missed brother.
And Sammy you just as much.
Love you
Terrible incident which could have been diverted. The world has lost two amazing people. This shouldn’t happened.
This is the most shocking news. Jaques was one of the best person I have ever met. Such a lost. I am sure his girlfriend was equally a wonderdul person. My condolences to his and her family and friends. What a loss. I am speechless. I am shocked.
The driver of the Vito has killed two beautiful people, one of whom I knew and was a friend. Although I know it won’t bring them back I hope the full force of the law will come down on him/her. R.I.P, we’ll miss you dearly.
RIP Jacques and Samantha,
Jacques, you were an amazing and special person, the world will be a lot poorer without you and Sam
What a senseless waste of life.
St. Peter will welcome you with open arms.
The food in Heaven will now be amazing.
I didn’t know either of these two lovely people but I was unfortunate enough to have passed the accident scene shortly after it happened. The one person had clearly already passed away and some passing by motorists were trying to apply CPR on the other person. That sight still haunts me. Such senseless deaths. RIP Jacques and Samantha.
I also passed this scene on my why passing through towards hartebeespoort. I am also a biker myself and felt very sad seeing the sight of this.