In memory of tata Zwai

There are some people whose impact cannot be measured by their job title. Tata Zwai was one of those people.

When Zwai joined Surfpop as our driver, we quickly realised that we had found so much more than someone to transport children safely to and from our programs. He became a father figure, mentor, role model and friend—not only to the children, but to our entire team.

Although Zwai worked at Surfpop, he never saw it as work. It was his passion and his purpose. He believed deeply in creating better opportunities for the children in his community and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to that mission.

Zwai had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, safe and cared for. He knew every child by name, knew their stories, celebrated their successes and worried about their struggles. He went far beyond what was expected of him because he genuinely cared. He wasn’t afraid to speak up when he believed something could be better, always with the children’s best interests at heart.

Many of our older learners will remember him as someone who kept them on track, encouraged them to make good choices and reminded them of their potential. He brought that same honesty and care to the Surfpop team, always striving to create a positive environment where children could thrive.

His kindness reached far beyond Surfpop. It wasn’t unusual to discover that Zwai had missed a meeting because he was taking a stranger to hospital, or that he needed a salary advance because he had spent his own money helping someone else. Whether it was buying a hungry child something to eat, replacing worn-out shoes, or simply stopping to listen, Zwai quietly cared for people wherever he went.

Anyone who walked through Masiphumelele with Zwai knew it would take twice as long as expected. Everyone knew him. Everyone greeted him. Even outside the community, people smiled, waved and stopped for a conversation. He had a remarkable way of making every person feel important.

Zwai taught us what community truly means. He showed us that leadership is found in humility, that kindness is an everyday choice, and that changing lives often happens through the smallest acts of love and generosity.

Surfpop will never be the same without our Tata Zwai. His absence leaves an enormous gap, but his legacy lives on in the children he believed in, the team he shaped, and the values he modelled every day.

Thank you, Tata Zwai, for showing us how to care more deeply, love more generously and serve our community with humility.

Rest in peace. You will always be part of the Surfpop family.