(Ravi
Govender)
The sad news of the death of the KZN
Department of Arts & Culture Strategic Director, Ravi Govender, has been
confirmed by Rajendran Thangavelu Govender, the department’s director. Ravi
Govender was killed on impact in a head-on motor collision yesterday near Mooi River on his way to a workshop in the Drakensberg. He was 48.
Not to be confused with Ravi Govender who presents Vinyl Countdown, he was also a
regular on Lotus FM on the Newsbreak programme
and was responsible for giving a dosage of events happening around the country
every Friday mornings for the last 15 years. Lotus FM will pay tribute to him on
Newsbreak tomorrow (Saturday, January
25) between 13h00 and 14h00.
‘He was a perfect
example of a real public servant,” says Raj, “accessible, amiable, pro-active
and supportive. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
Before you are born, your death is pre determined. When Ravi left home yesterday
morning, little did he know that death was awaiting
him around the bend. The same goes for every human being. Our time on earth is
not permanent.
“It was in 1995
when I first met him,” he continues. “I was recruiting someone to be the
curator of the Documentation Centre. An old uncle from Lenasia recommended
Ravi. I went to his house in Bayview where I met him and his parents. At that
stage he was a Standard 2 Afrikaans teacher at Oceanview Primary. I explained
what the job entailed and told him that I would second him to the Department if
he was in agreement. He agreed in a humble way. He was a hard worker and
produced work of an exceptional quality. I took him to many conferences in India
and Mauritius.
“Where I was, you
would find Ravi. We conceptualised many projects together. The Eastern
Rendezvous is one of the programmes that I conceptualised and asked him to co-
produce it. In the early stages of our work at Truro House we travelled in a
lift club, Ravi, Iris, Shameela and I. Then he started bringing a young girl
who later became his wife.
“We certainly
had some interesting experiences. When we went to Ulundi for meetings on a
Monday I would eat meat but not Ravi. He would bring his lunch box and eat his
veg sandwiches while I ate the chicken drumsticks. Once we missed our train
from Delhi to Chennai by a few minutes. We were offered an option of taking a
mail train that had only one seat in the sleeper coach and the other seat in
the third class. This was a 23 hour journey. Ravi insisted that I take the
sleeper class while he joined the locals in the third class. I could not
convince him otherwise. We travelled about eight hours when I befriended the
conductor who arranged for Ravi to join me. I know Ravi will travel to a new
destination where he will rendezvous with all his loved ones. My deepest sympathies to his wife Vinosha
and to his brothers and sister.”
Yogin Devan, Director at Meropa
Communications, notes sadly that he is deeply disturbed by Ravi Govender’s untimely
death. “He put his heart and soul into all tasks he was entrusted with. Years
ago he was a committed custodian of artefacts at the Derby Street Indian
Documentation Centre which went into near ruins after his departure. Today, I
read a poignant review he wrote for the book When The Chalk Is Down. He said: "I am convinced that life is
a balance of fortunate and unfortunate experiences, with the human spirit alive
and active ready to lift one to new and unconquered heights." How true.
Ravi has left too soon and will be sorely missed. I wish his family strength
and comfort during the ensuing dark days."
The funeral will take place this coming
Sunday (January 26) from 11h30 to 13h30 when the body will lie in state at the
Shree Vishnu Temple Hall, Havenside Drive, Havenside, Chatsworth, thereafter
proceeding to the Mobeni Heights Crematorium for cremation at 14h00.
(Editor’s
Note: Ravi Govender was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure
to meet. I don’t think I ever saw him grumpy. We have lost a special person. –
Caroline Smart)
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