RIP Albert

[Pure Savage]

IN MEMORY OF ALBERT MUNTHALI

 

(26-01-1980 – 09-04-2018)

 

This is taken from the Stay wider of the rider Facebook page. It struck a chord with me, a fellow capetonian, bike enthusiast, father and commuter. Strength to his family, RIP Albert.

 

 

Albert Munthali was a very well liked young man who was fatally shot while being robbed of his bicycle last Monday in Du Noon. He was returning from work on Monday evening from Table View.

Albert was the kindest, gentlest person who had a genuine love for animals. He had worked in the veterinary industry as a clinic assistant for the past 13 years since arriving in South Africa from Malawi. Albert was due to return home for the first time next month.

Apart from his work, Albert’s passion was his cycling, he completed his first Argus Cycle Tour in 2013. The entries had already closed when he expressed his desire to race. The Pedal Power Association sponsored his late entry, friends and colleagues donated cycling kit and he finished the race in 5h 15min on a mountain bike wearing takkies! He told me it was the greatest achievement of his life. He never believed Cape Town to be so beautiful and the people lining the streets to be so encouraging shouting for him to keep going! He told me he was inspired to better his life because of this race.

Albert went onto to study at night school and completed a certificate in business management while working and training full time. He upgraded his bike and completed three more Argus Cycle Tours in 2014, 2015 and 2018, each year taking more time off his previous results. He was so proud of these achievements.

Albert will be sorely missed by his friends, clients and staff at Vetclin veterinary practice and the many cycling friends he would have made along the way. Albert is survived by his wife Eliness and his young daughter Melissa.

Pedal Power Association

A fund has been set up to help his family during this time, should you wish to donate please see the details below:

Vet Corp

Nedbank (Tableview)

Branch code: 108809

Account number: 1088006213 (REF: Albert)

(article written by Dr Melissa Charles)

[Fox3]

Ai, things are not going well. RIP. May his family have peace.

[Skubarra]

What an incredibly sad story   So unnecessary.

 

RIP Albert Munthali

[Bateleur1]

So sad.  It is a short writeup but obvious he is someone who touched many lives in a good way. RIP.

[cfcjim]

This is awful. He once helped to calm down my scared pup who was terrified of the vet. So so sad.

[bassasdaindia]

RIP

[Andrew_Smith]

RIP fellow cyclist.

[tjommies3]

SO sad, RIP Albert :-(

[Warthog]

Speechless. There is just no words...

 

RIP.

[Escapee..]

This is so incredibly sad.

 

RIP Albert

[Geronimo]

Very sad indeed. Yet another life lost and a family torn apart by a senseless act of greed.

 

RIP friend. Prayers and thoughts to his loved ones.

[lechatnoir]

RIP Albert. sad news

[Pure Savage]

We have put some money into the account for Alberts family. Won’t help the hurt, but hope it assists in some small way.

[shah]

RIP Albert

[urbanroyal]

RIP..????

[Dubber]

Working in Killarney, I see commuters like Albert every day.  Their bikes, on the whole, are probably worth less than the the accessories I (we) have on my (our) bike(s).

But they always always have a smile on their face as they ride to and from work.  It always makes me smile when I see them.

 

The fact that someone's life is worth less than these bikes is crazy.

 

Every time I read news like this I loose a little more hope...