Life will never be the same in Platfontein after the death of a son, a father and a community builder Arnesto Dapaisa.
The Traditional Healers Association and the Indigenous Wisdom sector within the Creative and Cultural Industry of South Africa (Ccifsa) have lost a leader. Dapaisa was a diligent Christian who attended Zion! Xun Church and always offered his driving skills, especially when needed. He was an active member of the ANC, an avid soccer fan, who started a female soccer club.
His peers in the arts industry comforted the family with music. Artists sang, danced and reminisced about the life of the humble, soft-spoken and intelligent Arnesto. He helped many community members to acquire their driver’s licenses and aspired to have a code 14 driver’s license.
The 39-year-old was the designated driver, who drove church elders to high-profile meetings from Platfontein to Namibia. He was also involved in recruiting traditional healers, ensuring they are compliant and registered with relevant authorities. He tirelessly submitted numerous funding proposals for his female soccer team and dancing groups from Platfontein. Although sponsors often rejected those requests, he persevered.
Dapaisa fought for the rights of artists and the community. He participated with fellow artists at a protest march organised by CCIFSA during lockdown level 3, protesting against the President to open the industry.
Arnesto’s father explained that the deceased got a job in Mpumalanga at the beginning of the year. Three weeks into the new job, he started complaining about stomach pains and later returned home. He passed on three days later. “He was our hope as I am old and cannot take care of myself and the family,” said the grieving father.
Arnesto Dapaisa is survived by his siblings, ailing parents, wife and children. His funeral was on 26 February 2021 in Platfontein.
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