Family needs help with busker’s burial

A well known face around the Valley Harbour area in Hout Bay will be sorely missed —more so, the music he once played.

Sylvester Xubuzane passed away last week, after a short illness, and now the family has been left with the challenge of his burial.

Speaking on behalf of his family, his nephew, Owen Xubuzane, confirmed said uncle had a funeral policy, but red tape has delayed the pay out.

“Although he had a funeral cover, we are facing complications in retrieving the funds. The information on his policy form was filled out incorrectly and the beneficiary listed was his sister, who also passed away last year,” the distraught nephew explained.

Now they are facing a legal challenge, which they fear might cost more money.

“Resolving these legal issues will take time and money. Even if we did get the money in time, we will not be able to cover all the required expenses,” Owen said.

Sylvester was blind and played the recorder. He was frequently found busking in Hout Bay’s busiest spots. For the past 19 years, Sylvester’s music drew crowds and is likeable personality was the cherry on top for most.

Ashley Meyer, who has been working on the harbour for nearly 30 years, frequently crossed paths with the “blind man with music”.

“That is what the people first thought of him when they saw him and everyday he came back or he sat on a different place. What was different about him, was that he was lovable and had a very nice character,” Ms Meyer said, who made it her mission to greet Sylvester once a day.

Her fondest memory was when Sylvester offered to buy her lunch from the money he had raised. She insisted to pay for the fish and chips bu he secretly returned the money to her jacket while they were eating.

“That was Sylvester. He was blind but still found a way to do good. He had a very good heart and I only found that money the night I came home. It was all crumbled up and in a ball. I knew that was him,” Ms Meyer said.

“I returned the next day and tipped him with it. He said thank you and I replied, ‘No! Thank you’,” Ms Meyer said laughing.

Owen said the family planned to take Sylvester back to the Eastern Cape where he is from, to bury him alongside his parents and siblings.

“But we do not have the financial means to cover the costs of this journey, which is approximately 1 300km,” Owen said.

The family have started sending out several appeals to the community of Hout Bay for assistance, but they are pressed for time.

“Any contribution, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. We are faced with this great challenge of getting my uncle to his final resting place, but we will overcome this with your support,“ Owen said.

If you would like to help, contact Owen at 074 938 9157.