THE NG Church in Kerk Street, Empangeni will be packed to overflowing on Friday for the tribute memorial service of local anti-crime icon Dave Whittaker.
Response to his shock passing has been overwhelming after news quickly spread following his death after a serious heart attack in the early hours of Monday.
He had woken in pain and was taken to Life Empangeni Private Hospital by his wife, Cheryl and their son Steven.
Sadly his condition quickly deteriorated and despite doctors’ best efforts, Whittaker (63) died at 3.30am.
A number of people from a cross section of local organisations with which he was involved will speak at the service, which starts at 11am.
Whittaker served the community of greater Zululand for nearly all his life, most recently as chairman of Business Against Crime and chairman of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) Empangeni Division.
A prolific crime fighter as well as former SAPS Reservist colonel and ex-Fire Chief, he constantly shared helpful information on social media and was actively involved in crime fighting initiatives in Empangeni and Richards Bay.
Tributes and messages flooded in from around the globe as people remembered ‘Super Dave’:
‘We thank Dave for his sterling contribution to developing local businesses and his dedication to the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry over the years,’ said ZCCI Deputy president, Thabani Shale.
‘May his soul rest in peace. Hamba kahle Dave!’
Richards Bay SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Brenda Mgenge echoed the sentiments of police officers in Zululand and the management of Richards Bay SAPS.
‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dave,’ Brigadier Mgenge said.
‘We pray that God will grant your family strength in this difficult time and on behalf of every police officer we wish to convey our most sincere condolences.
‘His invaluable contribution to the ongoing fight against crime will be sorely missed and we are honoured and blessed to have known him, and will cherish our memories of him forever.’
Rhana Naicker, CEO of the Bayede Foundation had the following words:
‘I was expecting to walk into his office to discuss a new strategy for 2017, instead I was left with a gaping wound and a sense of utter disbelief with the news of losing a colleague and my best friend, a man who epitomised the analogy of ‘ One in a million’.
‘Your shoes are so big Dave Whittaker and will be so hard to fill.
‘We will remember you daily and your memory will live on with the thousands of people whose lives you have touched,’ she continued.
‘In your memory, the office of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini will also endeavour fulfil your desire to establish the Disability Centre for Zululand.’
Whittaker is survived by his wife Cheryl, married sons Steven, Justin and Chris and three grandsons.
Details of tribute service for Dave Whittaker:
Time: 11am
Date: Friday, 13 January
Place: NG Church at 8 Kerk Street, Empangeni
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