RIP Dennis Hammar

[Zebra]

9 minutes ago, Mamil said:

I don't actually know where the incident was - is it in the concrete section between the CTICC parking area and the N1?

 

Unsure - there was a MEMORIAL ride I could not partake in - I guess it may have started at/or near - the site?

[cadenceblur]

a ghost bike was indeed placed near the site

[Spinnaroonie]

15 minutes ago, cadenceblur said:

a ghost bike was indeed placed near the site

At the corner of FW de Klerk & DF Malan? 

[cadenceblur]

53 minutes ago, Spinnaroonie said:

At the corner of FW de Klerk & DF Malan? 

That sounds familiar yes 

[Andreas_187]

It was here but it was not there on Sunday

Edited September 1, 2025 by Andreas_187

[Spinnaroonie]

I also noticed it was missing yesterday. I think the Woodbridge Island bike is also gone. 

Sickening. 


 

[Zebra]

On 8/26/2025 at 1:47 PM, Zebra said:

The Mural artist is back from JHB, and now working on 2x Vida-E assignments. She is ready to start on the mural commemorating  the life of Mr Hammar, as follows:

1. She is available to work on the mural from Monday, 08th Sept onwards. Later, she leaves for an assignment in Portugal, so important it is done between 08th and 20th September.

2. I will photograph the nearest bridge-support of the underpass where mural needs to go, giving the artist the rough dimensions. I have offered her 2x long ladders, else she will bring scaffolding, etc.

3. I would like someone to collect - and hold the funds - until mural artist needs paying. I feel it will be in the order of AROUND R8k. The 5 or 6 pledges to date exceed this; we can decide how to use up any addtl funds, or return funds proportionately, hub to decide. Could I call for a volunteer person to RECEIVE pledged funds to?;  it just keeps it 'neat' and at arm's length...

4. I did not partake in the memorial ride - is there already a GHOST bike nearby? Would someone kindly drop me an approximate PIN?

People considering contributing so far: @Mamil @Rowl @Prince Albert Cycles @Zebra @DJR @TitusTi (apologies if i missed anyone!)

ADDED @splat ADDED @anonymous @Spirog

ADDED: @Milosh

thanks

Chris 072 211 7725

Recce’d the area of the incident yesterday - could find no flowers, not white bicycle, nothing, despite combing the area quite thoroughly.

Decided on THIS pillar/s; it is opposite a traffic light, meaning people could look up whilst waiting; it  is at/near the alleged incident spot, high-enough up to be seen, and would be behind a temporary safe-zone, with a security guard; this seems to be a CTICC temporary fenced-off area whilst they undertake CTICC renovations; I feel I can get the muralist ‘in’ there, and then she is ‘safe’ from harassment/being disturbed, whilst working.

Planning a A0- sized mural, actually bigger; that is a larger than a newspaper, folded out, etc.

IT WILL BE HIGH UP - Tape measure is PURELY to take dimensions…

Any reservations, let me know, suggestions too, obviously hard to incorporate every idea, etc…
 

Cheers

Chris

Edited September 8, 2025 by Zebra
Spelling

[Zebra]

Ok, today is the day, updates later....

[Zebra]

Here is what is planned...

1st, the MAP is drawn, and then detail is added....

note: picture 2 is JUST an approximation of what is planned…

Edited September 22, 2025 by Zebra
Clarity

[DJR]

Hi Zebra

Have I missed how to get the funds to the right place? I am still keen to contribute.

 

[Zebra]

I will call for payment by those committed to donations in the next day or so, just wanted to get the mural done (or at least, started…), before requesting payment…

Will paste a link here of the ‘contribution list’ here shortly - it is my post 3 or 4 pages back - I feel we have sufficient funds to cover the muralist, scaffolding, etc, but anyone joining now will REDUCE the cost per person, as it were. I think we have 8 people (incl myself) pledging R1k each, and one person pledged R5K…, so around 9, and likely 10 with you joining in, DJR, thanks!

(PS: surplus funds could well be used for another, worthy project, etc, the group to decide…)

Chris

[Zebra]

Update: (Pledgers - payment details at BOTTOM of post...)

Monday 22 Sept was the day for doing the Mural: I met Mernette Swartz early (the artist, her Insta-handle is _blakz …), and I got us access, with her bakkie, to a closed-off/controlled construction site, where W.B.O. are renovating the CTICC - that story for another day!

We built up the scaffolding, and she laid down her 'grid' chop-chop, to 'show' any pesky authorities that work had begun, and we could not/should not be stopped...!

She uses a 'grid' - those weird squiggles - then ADDS that to the stylized picture of Dennis's face, then BLENDS - digitally - the opacity of his face and the squiggles, giving her reference points to work on a large-format art work, where proportionality must be correct - I learnt a lot watching all this.

Then, little by little, building the layers of his face, using black/white/grey(s) for this part, keeping things monochromatic in his memory, etc., until he clearly 'emerged' from the Underpass-pillar!

Then, much later, on to the vibrant/colorful side of the mural, bright colours to show the (cycling) life he had lived, and then onto the bicycle itself, which she chose to make WHITE after I mentioned I suspected the White Ghost bike has been stolen by some low-life - nice idea, Mernette!

We wrapped up mid-afternoon - a very satisfying project indeed - if you get a minute, please drive past, and say hi to 'him'.

(notes:

the 2x C.O.C.T. mega screens will be moved in time - they slightly obstruct the view from SOME angles, but the site was chosen to offer a bit of security whilst doing the artwork...

…and  - for now - prevent any defacement in the unlikely event of that happening. Stopped at the traffic light nearby, whether East-West stop or North-South stop, the mural of Dennis can be seen.

And the dripping Yellow paint from the words R.I.P. was INTENTIONAL, not by accident.

I asked the Artist to sign her work, and that is the BLAKz at lower left. (not shown, will get that pic...)

Would love - at some stage - to get a Ghost bicycle standing, anchored to the wall, below the mural, as further reinforcement, etc.)

Questions welcome. Those who pledged, here are my banking details: (I have paid her this morning, in full).

COSTS: R7086. 

Banking details: C D Grinton

Investec Private Bank

Account: 10010819712

Branch Code: 580105

R.I.P. Dennis.

Chris

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2025 by Zebra
spelling

[Prince Albert Cycles]

16 minutes ago, Zebra said:

Update: (Pledgers - payment details at BOTTOM of post...)

Monday 22 Sept was the day for dong the Mural: I met Mernette Swartz early (the artist, her Insta-handle is _blakz …), and I got us access, with her bakkie, to a closed-off/controlled construction site, where W.B.O. are renovating the CTICC - that story for another day!

We built up the scaffolding, and she laid down her 'grid' chop-chop, to 'show' any pesky authorities that work had begun, and we could not/should not be stopped...!

She uses a 'grid' - those weird squiggles - then ADDS that to the stylized picture of Dennis's face, then BLENDS - digitally - the opacity of his face and the squiggles, giving her reference points to work on a large-format art work, where proportionality must be correct - I learnt a lot watching all this.

Then, little by little, building the layers of his face, using black/white/grey(s) for this part, keeping things monochromatic in his memory, etc., until he clearly 'emerged' from the Underpass-pillar!

Then, much later, on to the vibrant/colorful side of the mural, bright colours to show the (cycling) life he had lived, and then onto the bicycle itself, which she chose to make WHITE after I mentioned I suspected the White Ghost bike has been stolen by some low-life - nice idea, Mernette!

We wrapped up mid-afternoon - a very satisfying project indeed - if you get a minute, please drive past, and say hi to 'him'.

(notes:

the 2x C.O.C.T. mega screens will be moved in time - they slightly obstruct the view from SOME angles, but the site was chosen to offer a bit of security whilst doing the artwork...

…and  - for now - prevent any defacement in the unlikely event of that happening. Stopped at the traffic light nearby, whether East-West stop or North-South stop, the mural of Dennis can be seen.

And the dripping Yellow paint from the words R.I.P. was INTENTIONAL, not by accident.

I asked the Artist to sign her work, and that is the BLAKz at lower left. (not shown, will get that pic...)

Would love - at some stage - to get a Ghost bicycle standing, anchored to the wall, below he mural, as further reinforcement, etc.)

Questions welcome. Those who pledged, here are my banking details: (I have paid her this morning, in full).

COSTS: R7086. 

Banking details: C D Grinton

Account: 10010819712

Branch Code: 580105

R.I.P. Dennis.

Chris

 

 

 

 

Chris and team . That is so special . Well done well done .

[Rowl]

40 minutes ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

Chris and team . That is so special . Well done well done .

Indeed the above, hope some of the newspapers pick up on this and that it raises some awareness.

 

Maak my sommer trots en warm om dit te sien.

[DJR]

Great stuff Zebra! Thank you for running with this.

May the mural stay there for many years as a reminder to cyclists to be as safe as we can, to cops and the authorities to do their jobs and to criminals as a warning that someone is watching.

(I made my contribution)

 

[Zebra]

Picture showing Artist’s signature at lower left, as promised.

A further call for pledged funds - thanks!
 

Chris.