Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Simonsberg Men’s residence recently held a memorial in remembrance of Ky Rowe, a fellow resident and student.
This comes after the passing of 20-year-old Rowe, a first-year BCom international business student, on 9 August.
MatieMedia was in attendance at the memorial at Simonsberg on 14 August.
Family, friends and students gathered at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Simonsberg men’s residence on 14 August to celebrate the life of Ky Rowe, an SU student who recently passed away. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
‘A gentle soul’
“He was probably the most genuine, most down to earth and most loving person,” said Eddie Buys, Rowe’s mentor, at the memorial.
Emma Saskia, a friend of Rowe’s, recalled how they sat together in every class and how they would often go to Tamaties, a restaurant in the Neelsie student centre, together.
“He was the world’s best listener, and gave me some of the best advice ever,” said Saskia.
“[…] one of the things I truly loved about him, there was one time at 02:00 I just needed someone to listen and, being the caring person he was, he listened,” said Travis Hayward, Rowe’s roommate and friend.
Ben Morton, also a friend of Rowe’s, described him as a “gentle soul”.
“Many people mistook Ky and I for brothers because of our appearances but we were, in fact, brothers by heart,” he stated.
Ky Rowe, a Stellenbosch University (SU) student and a resident of SU’s Simonsberg men’s residence, passed away on 9 August. Rowe was a first-year BCom international business student. “He was probably the most genuine, most down-to-earth and most loving person,” said Eddie Buys, Rowe’s mentor. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
Dr Leslie van Rooi, the residence head of Simonsberg, and Simeon September, the primarius of Simonsberg, extended their condolences to the family at the memorial.
“His gentleness, his smile, his happy demeanour, the fact that we could share him with you for a while, means a lot to us,” said Van Rooi.
September described Rowe as a special person who was a warm presence in the residence.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Simonsberg men’s residence recently held a memorial for Ky Rowe, an SU student and Simonsberg resident who recently passed away. Simeon September, the primarius of Simonsberg, described Rowe as a special person who was a warm presence in the residence. PHOTO: Takudzwa Pongweni
Take care of one another
Rowe’s mother, who was in attendance at the memorial, expressed gratitude to all those who attended the memorial.
“Thank you for honouring him and loving him,” she said at the event.
She encouraged those who have stories and memories of Rowe to share them with the family and urged everyone to take care of each other.
“May you rest so softly, Ky. You always were an angel, but now it is official,” said Minette Pieters, a friend of Rowe’s.