Cape Town - “Kind, thoughtful and humorous.”
These are are a few of many words used by friends and former colleagues to describe Achmat Samuels, a former Independent Media IT technician who died on Thursday after a battle with cancer.
Former colleagues and friends shared stories honouring the memories created together while he was alive.
As a member of the Independent team for more than 20 years, Samuels’s know-how and charm made him a likeable person to all.
Deputy editor of the Cape Times, Liesl van der Schyff, said: “I’ve known Boeta Achmat, as he was affectionately known, for over 15 years, and he had shown nothing but kindness to everyone he met along the way. With Achmat, knowledge was power, and he loved sharing his IT knowledge. We mourn his loss but we celebrate his life, knowing that his unending kindness shown towards others is rewarding.”
A former IT support technician at Independent Media, Barbara Lerole, said: “I used to call him Mr Sam, like Uncle Sam. In the IT team, he had been there the longest so there was a lot of learning from him. I learnt so much from him and he really played a crucial role in my career in shaping my career path to where I am today.”
Editorial assistant at Independent Media, Caryn Wessels, said: “From the moment I met him, I knew he was one of the good guys. He had a way of making everyone laugh.
“You knew when you heard him laugh that it was going to be a fun day at work, and he knew that a trip to Mariam’s could solve anything. Achmat is and always will be the heart and soul of Independent Media.”
Achmat was buried in Constantia yesterday in accordance with Muslim rites.