The sudden death of Ward 19 councillor, Ricardo Saralina, has left the Kuils River community in shock.
Mr Saralina suffered a severe stroke on Saturday August 31, and passed away at Groote Schuur Hospital just after 1pm on Sunday, September 1, after his life support was switched off.
Mr Saralina became the councillor of Ward 19 on August 3, 2016.
Ward 19 deputy chairperson, Justin Wildebees was with Mr Saralina when he had the stroke.
He said after a Democratic Alliance (DA) metro meeting in the Cape Town CBD on Saturday, Mr Saralina wanted to go to the Eastern Food Bazaar for a plate of curry, which he said was Mr Saralina’s favourite food.
While at the table, Mr Saralina “looked worried” and told him that he was not feeling well.
“His left arm dropped off the table and he tried to lift it, but couldn’t and before I could help him, he fell off his chair. This is when he had the stroke. We then rushed him to the hospital and doctors said he didn’t seem to be recovering well.”
Mr Wildebees said he lost his best friend and a hard-working man.
Liezel Saralina said her husband of 23 years remained the kind-hearted man she met 19 years ago.
She said Mr Saralina was a good father to his 24-year-old son, Leo.
“My husband had a big heart and would go above and beyond for his family and the community he served.”
She said what she would miss most about her husband was that he was a handyman around the house and loved to make everything in their home liveable and comfortable.
“He could fix nearly anything around the house and did not wait for a plumber,” she said.