Couple’s death a shock to Amanzimtoti community

THE recent couple suicide, which took place at 6am on Saturday morning, 13 April from Stella Maris flats in Beach Road, has deeply devastated the community.

THE recent couple suicide, which took place at 6am on Saturday morning, 13 April from Stella Maris flats in Beach Road, has deeply devastated the community.

READ ABOUT IT HERE: UPDATE: Amanzimtoti SAPS confirm couple commits Beach Road suicide

The couple was the retired Amanzimtoti dentist, Manie Fourie and his wife Rita, and were well-known and liked by the community.

According to Amanzimtoti Police spokesperson, Captain Charlene van der Spuy, the couple was both 77-years-old.

“It is believed that the husband was a cancer sufferer. They left a suicide note detailing funeral arrangements and a sealed letter addressed to a family member.”

Comments made on the articles when shared to Facebook show that the couple was well-liked by all who knew them.

On hearing about the incident, past patient Barbara Whiting said:

“He was our family dentist for many years, and then they emigrated to the UK for a couple of years, before returning to South Africa.

“I don’t know much about the couple at all, except they were elegant, refined and always together,” she said.
Further comments made showed the extreme heartache this caused those hearing the news.
Sharon-Ann Theron from Pensioner’s Friend said that older people are having a hard time.

“We deal with pensioners daily. It’s hard not to be able to help them all. I wish we could do more. This sad event just breaks my heart,” she said.

Manie’s sister, Marie Blignaut, who resides in Roodepoort, shared more about her brother and Rita lives.

“After school, he studied to be a chiropractor, but never completed his studies. He and Rita went to America and when they returned to Toti he decided to start his dentistry studies at University of Pretoria.
After he qualified, he started his own practice in the then Wakefields Centre in Amanzimtoti CBD, in around 1980.

Rita was his assistant over the years and his mother did all his practice’s books.  He practiced until 2000, and built a reputation in the Amanzimtoti community.

The couple then left for England and spent two years there, and when they returned, they sold the dentist practice mand took an early retirement,” said Marie.

Marie explained that the couple lived in the Stella Maris flats since their time in Amanzimtoti began, and were living in the penthouse at the time of death.

“My brother was kind and good to people,” she said.
“He often put himself out to help the elderly and those in need. People really liked him, he was very friendly and helpful.”

Manie was conscious of his health and a fit person. Every morning he swam at the Amanzimtoti swimming pool and became well-known for this activity.

Manie’s mother is 99-years-old and lives in Mooi Hawens Residentia. Marie said that she is still up and about, and healthy. As per the couple’s final wishes, there will be no funeral service.

 

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