FARAI CHITOTOMBE
MASVINGO CITY-Prominent socialite, Father Christmas who was also popular for peddling a variety of top spices in Masvingo CBD, Daniel Vermaak, is no more.
He was 51.
Dan’s wife Memory Vermaak confirmed the sad news to The Midweek Watch and said he collapsed at home on Sunday evening.
Friends and relatives are gathered at number 52 Simon Muzenda Street, formerly Hofmeyer next to Safeguard Security opposite the age old Landmark Bar, his residents where he stayed with his family and his 86 year old mother, Anna Hellen Vermaak.
The wife said they have lost a very quite family man who would go about doing his work as a self employed person, selling spices and doing mechanical piece jobs whenever possible.
She said Dan just fell down at home and started bleeding through the nose and ears and they rushed him to Masinire Hospital where he passed on as they were preparing to take him to Harare for further treatment.
“The guy was just jovial all the time, ever since I knew him when I used to work next to his house at Safeguard Security, he had no time for grudges.
“He would bring me spices of all kinds whenever I needed them and whenever we met, we would share one or two jokes at social gatherings and Landmark or Bobs Tavern where he used to frequent.
“Honestly his death came as a shock to all of us who knew him, I say to the family left behind, it is God’s wish and be comforted in the Lord Almighty, may his dear departed soul rest in eternal peace,” said James Mwanache who runs technology company Dual Systems in Masvingo.
An Engen Garage petrol attended said on the fateful day they had met in the afternoon as he normally buys his cigarettes from their shop and chatted for almost 30 minutes with him while he was taking his favourite spirit and puffing.
Dan did part of his education in South Africa and completed his primary education at Victoria Primary School in Masvingo.
For his secondary education Dan went to Victoria High School and joined the job industry soon after finishing.
He went on to marry his sweetheart, Memory in 2002 with whom they are blessed with three children, Michael (22), Joshua (15) and Athalie who is celebrating 8 years today unfortunately minus the loving father.
“He was not sick, he just fell down right here and he sustained head injuries which made him bleed in the nose and ears and we took him to Masinire Private Hospital for scans but unfortunately he did not make it even though we were planning to take him to Harare for further scanning, he was just a cool person to be around with and very hard working self-employed,” added the wife.
Dan was a very busy person especially during the festive season where he would perform as Father Christmas in department stores like Meikles, Spar, TM, Edgars and Truworths in Masvingo City just to mention a few.
He was a member of the New Life Eagles Ministry Church and he will be laid to rest tomorrow at Lawn Cemetery in Masvingo City.
