UK friends raise funds to send SA man’s body back to Eastern Cape
Friends of a South African man who died of a ‘short illness’ in the UK have raised funds to help send his body back home.
Two friends of Khanya Veliso, who died of a ‘short illness’, have honoured his memory by raising over £1 500 to repatriate him to the Eastern Cape.
As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe page for Veliso had so far raised £1 773 towards the £3 800 goal (R91 000).
Khanya Veliso, 21, was born in South Africa, but lived with his family in Tidworth, Wiltshire in England.
He worked at Burger King and has been described as “a beautiful person inside and out”.
A MYSTERIOUS ‘SHORT ILLNESS’
Veliso died on Monday, 11 March following a “short illness”.
The young South African’s family, with the help of his close friends, have been trying to raise funds to repatriate Veliso to the Eastern Cape.
While awaiting Khanya’s post-mortem results, father Lucas Bonela told the Salisbury Journal: “Khanya was a very happy boy who got along with everyone.”
“He was a very respectful child and would do everything you asked of him with a smile on his face.”
Veliso left behind two siblings whom he “loved so much”.
His colleague Aimee Pritchard remembered him fondly, and paid tribute to the “gentle” man who would “light up” any room.
“[Khanya] was energetic and always had something to say back to make everyone laugh,” Pritchard said. “If you ever needed anything or if you were feeling down, he’d cheer you up straight away.”
“He was such a beautiful person inside and out. He had his whole life ahead of him.”
The last time Pritchard saw Veliso was at the Kings Arms pub in Amesbury on Friday, 8 March.
“He didn’t really speak of any illness or look ill in any way … he was happy then,” she said.
PAIR RAISE FUNDS TO HELP FAMILY
After seeing how devastated Veliso’s family were, Pritchard and Chloe Harnan set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to support his family.
The pair were overwhelmed by the response from over 100 donors.
“I’m still so grateful for everything people have done,” added Pritchard.
“We did not think we’d raise anything compared to what we have.”