Gone but not forgotten ... love is as strong as death

Dear Boaz,

Love showers have flooded in from everywhere, thoughts about you to your family.

I address you as the living 'cause you'll forever live in our hearts. We miss you

Tribute 1

Boaz- a rich person
Rich with laughter
Rich with intelligence
Rich with love
Rich with character
Rich with humility
Rich with charm
Rich with laughter
A boy who we thought grew up too quickly,
But a boy with the character and spirit of Christ Jesus.
A boy any parent would desire to have as a son,
A boy any girl or boy would desire to have as a sibiling.
A boy who left an imprint in our lives.
Boaz Stephen Moore, you will never be forgotten.
Boaz Stephen Moore, you will always be loved.
Shalom to our boy, son and brother, Boaz Stephen Moore.

From: Brother Lunga, Sister Bridget and children

Tribute 2

Boaz, Where to start? There is so much to say about him and so few pages and time to do so… He was not only a small brother to us but a great friend. Whenever you were around him, you were always assured of a smile and an uplifted spirit. I remember his eyes would always twinkle with humour before he’d make a quick witted comment that would have you in stitches. His sweet gentle nature and spirit, made you want to be in his presence and share that inner calmness that he radiated. He always had a kind word to say about everyone and had a perpetual smile that had you smiling right back no matter how low you felt. He, at all times was gentleman and so much more matured than his age called for. This was apparent in the way he handled himself and approached life, his immaculate dressing, never would you find Boaz looking shabby, oh nO!

He was at all times so diplomatic in his ways, and we would affectionately tease him about it, yet he would always be so good-natured about getting poked fun at and was not shy to retaliate. O:) I have never in my life met someone with a bigger heart. I remember in Cape Town he would always be the one to bring the believer students in UCT together for sweet fellowship and a sweet music session. He was always so courteous to the rest of us who were not musicians, and he would humour us by playing the guitar and piano to accompany our growling and actually made us sound good! There was no chance for loneliness or feeling down whenever he was around. He was always one to sacrifice his time and energy to ensure everyone around him was happy and comfortable.

He would transport brethren who didn't have transport to church every Sunday morning and evening service as well as on Tuesday. Even with the demanding university schedule, he always put others needs before his own. Boaz was a gem and there will never be enough words to describe what a wonderful friend and brother that he was. Boaz, though gone to soon, we take comfort in knowing that you now rest in the bosom of our father.

We will miss you dreadfully, and even as our hearts break and sorrowful tears we shed, we take hope in knowing that we will soon meet again never to be parted. For Now, we say see you later...

From: Esther Njoki Migwi

Tribute 3

I remember one of our first encounters was when we went to the beach just when Boaz started at UCT. I always used to make fun of how he refused to remove his shoes and play in the sand and water like everyone else was doing – he was a true Joburg city boy. For those who think they are true gentleman, Boaz would definitely give you a run for that – he was a bespoke gentleman, always giving way to others before considering himself. He lived to love, and loved to give. No matter who approached him, he treated everyone with utmost respect and pure humility.

I remember how he loved going to church service on Tuesday evenings. I was in UCT for four years and rarely attended as I was always ‘studying’. He challenged me in many matters of faith, always putting the Lord first even when he had to do so alone.

As much as we were at UCT to study and get our degrees, Boaz took time to arrange fun activities for a few young people to do. He taught me to learn to love the beauties in life that we sometimes ignore when so busy pursuing materialistic things. He used to invite some of us for dinner at ‘Boaz’s’ he would say – afew people know that he was actually a good cook for a male. He really loved being with people of like mind and faith, sharing whatever he could with us and sharing the most funny stories with us.

He had a passion for music, especially the acoustic guitar! And the best thing about it was his humility with his great talent. The first time I heard him play I asked him why he didn’t want to go big with a music career – he told me that using his talent for the Lord was a big enough privilege.

Boaz always availed himself when I needed help, he would take time to listen and suggest solutions. He appeared stronger than many most times despite all the hardships he had gone through from losing the most important people in a child’s life – his parents. His maturity in many situations amazed me. He always seemed calm and his reassurance with his unique accent when he would tell me that “it will be well” always put a smile on my face.

Boaz, I will always cherish the memories of you that have all come back since your passing. I am left with very few answers to the question ‘why?’ because I know how many dreams and visions you had and how you wanted to continue your father’s legacy. I wish I could wake you up and ask you to live a little more. I still remember us jokingly laughing about how you would be my ‘unorthodox’ maid of honour. Now you are gone, and no one can replace you as a friend. You have left a void that will not easily be filled.  

My sincere prayer is that I see you on the other side, give you a big hug and spend a few thousand years laughing, singing and playing the guitar with you! You have given me one more reason to look forward to eternity.

From: Rebecca M’Marete

Tribute 4

My family and Boaz's family used to be close when we were younger (even before Boaz was born). He used to be very fond of my brother, Njabulo, when they were younger. In mid 2011 while studying at UCT I discovered that Boaz was also studying at UCT too doing his first year. We lived about 5mins away from each other so we would visit each other now and then and spend time playing music (as he loved music very much), socialising and sharing about The Word. I gave Boaz his first guitar lessons along with other young brothers from the Soweto assembly in 2007 if my memory serves me well. He has left us too soon. I will miss him very much and the great friendship we shared. My deepest condolences go to his Sisters Tsholo and Lerato and the rest of the family. May the Lord comfort and strengthen them at this time of bereavement! Shalom Bro Boaz.

From: Thando Mkhize

Tribute 5

Boaz was a jovial, lively, intelligent and generous guy. He was a fun loving person, always calm, but sometimes talkative. He had much more than we have, material wise, but was humble and never a show off.  He was very polite and courteous. I envied his English. I'm still traumatised and asking myself why. But God knows best. RIP my brother, your wonderful memories will live on. Your presence will be missed.

Anonymous

Tribute 6

Letter from your close friend Enerst and the gentleman of  Marquard residence (Your residence in 2012)

A wise man once said “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good. “

Boaz Stephen Moore was a kind and caring person. He was always filled with joy and he had an uplifting spirit in him. Boaz was smart  and he wanted to progress with his studies so that one day he could  achieve his dream of becoming a CA. He was someone that we considered as a brother because he was always eager to give us a shoulder to lean on when we were having hard times. He was also a man of virtue and he lived a life where he always looked up to the Almighty God no matter what he was going through. We’ve never seen such a young person with so much fear and honor for God.

This news shocks us and we would like to believe this was all a dream.  We are left saddened and left empty by this calamity. Although we wish your goodbye came in a much peaceful way, we do accept that the Lord works in miraculous ways.

We would like to thank the Lord for giving us an opportunity to encounter you in our lives and we will forever treasure the memories that we made together.

Rest in peace and go well buddy, till we meet again.

Tribute 7

Letter from Ndzalama Hobyani who worked with you on the launch of your business venture at Liesbeeck Gardens (your home prior to your passing)

"My dear brother, super mate, awesome bud" that's what you use to call me. We just met this semester but we worked so closely in preparing the opening of the Liesbeeck cafe that .you owned with Nosi. I did not know that the jam session that we had on the 29th of August 2013 in your room was the last time that I would jam with a talented guitarist and pianist like you "buddy”, we recorded "malibongwe igama le Nkosi" in a jazzy way and our wardens were so impressed .

Neither did I know that the 2 minutes conversation that we had after our Taxation lecture on the 11th of September was the last time that I would talk to you in person.so the 12th came and when the whole incident happened I was so confused on what was going at res, I saw the CPS  securities  standing that side of your flat and I wanted to call you and ask what's going on, I did not call you because I thought you were sleeping buddy and I did not want to disturb but little did I know that you were having a deep sleep that will only come to an end when Jesus Christ come back. Rest in peace "my dear brother”. I will forever remember every moment we spent together.

Tribute 8

Letter from Sydney Mashini, your adopted son.

When you've learnt so much from someone to a point where you always asked for constant advise, it really is hard to utter any words when you hear such news about someone who has done beyond enough for you....His famous words were "Syd ma boi... Look at a specific goal u want to reach, one that would eat you up every day...that is the one thing that would lead you to success...mine is my father" I have learnt so much from you Boaz and I was deeply shuttered when i heard you were gone...now I won't have someone to tell me about how important his iPad is in my morning lectures...most of all the words from the bible that u always shared with me and Nozi on the front row...i know u r in a safe place now...and I will surely miss u buddy...thanks for bringing light in my life...i will always treasure what u taught me... 

Tribute 9

Letter from Thabang, the guy you had countless stimulating debates with.

Dear Boaz,

I never realised just how much your passing has affected me until I found myself frustrated by the fact that we havent even had a memorial service for you here but I am glad your family contacted me.

I can imagine what you would have said regarding the UCT red-tape; as frustrating as this may be, you would have been so calm.

There's so much that I wish I could say. Like, how could I have helped? Why didnt I see this coming ..but I have no regrets about telling you just how your Sotho accent sucks *smiles*. Remember that time when you said "Thabang ke hohlile" hahahaha, in your accent. It was so-o bad! Everytime I saw you I would keep asking gore o "hohlile na" but in your accent. Trust me to do that to you!

To think you were here, alive, last week this time. You know what I've been doing ever since I found out? Been spending my time wondering where you are now and what you are doing, and praying for your family.

I know just how important your family was to you, you wanted to continue you dad’s legacy, it was your Whatsapp status for DAYS. And your sister, you raved about her! She was your everything! I remember how you told me she did everything for you, you loved her. Unto death you loved her.

You know what I learnt from you? I noticed you had friends from all walks of life, you never played the ”safe Christian”, I remember  thinking and asking myself why you even associated with people that go clubbing and the like, and you said you wanted to open yourself up to love all people and reach all people, just like Jesus who befriended harlots and drunkards.

 I am gonna miss the debates in the Jammie, as for our long standing debate on Romans 11:29 – I stand by what I said, and just by the way- my arguments were right! But for the sake of peace, I’ll agree to disagree.  My laptop has lost its doctor, remember when it crashed and you fixed it chop-chop? Lol, duuude I would have incurred thousands. But you were there.

It saddens me to have to accept that the world will never have a taste of your business talents, and your wealth of knowledge. What you knew was beyond the book. Go-getter!

I know Sydney misses you too. Guess what, you managed to know both of us briefly before you passed. LOL, I forgot to tell ya, you know last year when you used to come to our room to get class notes (before you you got to know Syd),he used to make fun of your accent too. Hahaha.

We miss you, maybe more so because we know we won’t see you again. Sometimes I get so mad at ya, you know- for just leaving like that. You chose to!  I have so many thoughts about you- been trying to do the maths, but school helps me forget.

Good bye my friend

.... disappeared

Dear Boaz,

I never realised just how much your passing has affected me until I found myself frustrated by the fact that we havent even had a memorial service for you here; but I am glad your family contacted me.
I can imagine what you would have said regarding the UCT red-tape; as frustrating as this may be, you would have been so calm.

There's so much that I wish I could say. Like, how could I have helped? Why didnt I see this coming ..but I have no regrets about telling you just how your Sotho accent sucks *smiles*. Remember that time when you said "Thabang ke hohlile" ( " Thabang I have returned ") hahahaha, in your accent. It was so-o bad! Everytime I saw you I would keep asking gore o "hohlile na" but in your accent. Trust me to do that to you!
To think you were here, alive last week this time. You know what I've been doing ever since I found out? Been spending my time wondering where you are now and what you are doing, and praying for your family.

I know Sydney misses you. Guess what, you managed to know both of us briefly before you passed. LOL, I forgot to tell ya, you know last year when you used to come to our room (before you got to know Syd),he used to make fun of your accent too. Hahaha.

We miss you, maybe more so because we know we wont see you again. Sometimes I get so mad at ya, you know- for just leaving like that. You chose to!  I have so many thoughts about you- been trying to do the maths, but school helps me forget.

:-)

Farewell, goodbye ... so long

Dear Blog,

It's been a while since I wrote something down. I've been meaning to but I just never took the time out to do it. It's so sad that the only reason I'm even typing here tonight is because I am overwhelmed with emotion. About 2-4 hours ago I found out that one of my good mates committed suicide. He jumped off the 6th floor of our residence. Wondering how I feel? Well it's true what they say about death; it is a cheat! It is a thief. It feels like someone just broke up with me and I'll never get to see them again because they are never coming back.

Some thoughts on my friend Boaz, even as I type now I keep seeing pictures of him in my mind. Maybe it's the shock. Though he never came to my flat religiously, I keep hoping that he will knock on the door to tell me that it wasnt him that jumped; that this is just a misunderstanding. I know we were not the best of friends, but we took time out to talk. He was a great young christian man, everytime we were together we would engage in debates about the bible. We had varying views but we shared one common love for Jesus. His christian character came across in the way he lived his life. He was a kind gentleman. Ever so considerate. You know now in th background I'm playing "it gets easier" by Kandi featuring Faith Hill, I keep expecting him to show up to tell me that this is all ... just a silly mistake. *sigh*
                  He always seemed like such a level-headed christian, he was calm and reasonable. And he was the guy that in my eyes everyone could confide in. I mean I knew I could count on him whenever I knew he was able to help. It just doesnt make sense to me- i mean, I am the radical one here. People wouldnt be surprised if I went ahead and jumped off a building but Boaz ... Boaz is seemingly matured and responsible. I dont think any of us saw this one coming.

The last time I spoke to him was 2 weeks ago, on a Monday evening (2nd of September 2013). I remember the details so clearly. It was the evening before the launch of one of his business ventures: the Liesbeeck Hotspot, a cafe set to be a solution in a residence deeply in need. So we debated my new haircut as he made copies of the posters for the launch event. He said I was going through a phase because I had a mowhawk all of a sudden. *Laughs*. I remember just how I laughed at him, making fun of his glasses. I told him that he never noticed that I've been cutting my hair like that for about 2 years now because there's something wrong with his glasses. Then we went on to debate the prices for some of the products that the cafe would offer, I knew the prices had been long decided, yet it never stopped me from poking fun at him and making outrageous demands about the products I wanted them to sell (especially the low GI seeded brown bread). He always smiled at me, and calmly said  he would think about it. Ofcourse he impressed me when he mentioned that they'd be selling my favourite fizzy drink: Jive, the disagreement though started when he mentioned that they only had 500ml bottles at R8 and I asked him why would I buy it if I can buy a 2litre bottle at R11 somewhere else instead.
This was the last conversation I had with him. I saw him that night running from floor to floor, door to door slipping the posters under every door.

One thing I know  about Boaz that I believe was so personal to him was that he loved his dad. As far as I know he lost him a couple of years ago. He was a pastor's kid. I always made fun of this as we engaged in faith-debates. You could tell from spending time with him that he was from a church family 'cause his room was filled with so many musical instruments. He always mentioned how he wanted to keep his dad's legacy alive and how he loved his sister who was his everything. *Laughes*         I just remembered what he said to me 2 weeks ago, I mentioned that I noticed that he moved to a new flat and he said that I never visit, he even mentioned that the last time I visited him was when I took his piece of chicken when I found him cooking. My argument was simply to ask how I could have known that he was cooking.
I think Boaz and I have some much in common, since I met him in 2011 I noticed just how he is there for everyone. I was just never sure if he had someone he could confide in. He always appeared strong. The pillar of other men. But who was his pillar? I share this in common with him. Not that people do not avail themselves to talk to us, just that sometimes we do not know how to tell people about our challenges when we are so used to being so strong for others. Last thing you want to do is worry your family especially when you are a thousand kilometres away from home in Cape Town. Am I saying I condone what he did? No. I am just acknowledging why he may have done it. Like me, perhaps that was his way of "dealing with it himself" because he had to be strong for so long.

When I first met him in first year (2011), we were in an Ecoz lecture in the Beattie building, we were discussing Christianity when he introduced himself: Boaz. I asked him what it meant, he told me. I totally forgot, however, what I always remembered was that it was a character from the bible. A week later he had forgotten that he had met me, so he always referred to me as "bud" every time I greeted him .*Laughs*, classic Boaz style with the fancy accent.   It is interesting that he did this now in our 3rd year when we are doing yet another Ecoz course at Beattie. When ever I saw him in the lecture venue this year I'd call out and he would always say: "Hey Thabang, howzit bud/mate?" in classic Boaz style.


Rest in peace my friend. Boaz Moore