My tribute to a unique personality, Nafeesa foi... 17 July 2020

Indeed, the sad reality about life is that we all know that one day we have to leave this superficial world of illusion for our heavenly abode, but alas no one wishes to or wants to leave. The demise of my foi had come to us all as a great shock. I should have written this tribute two weeks ago, but i opted to write once i cleared my mind, gathered my thoughts and of course absorb the fact that she is no more. I also needed time to choose the right words befitting for a human being who not only had a unique personality but also touched the hearts and lives of many through her radiant warm smile.

For some she was known as aunty Nafeesa Chothia, to me she was Gori Foi or Nafeesa foi, the seventh child of my late Dadaji, Hafez Abdullah Mehtar (Mias Farm)and Dadi Ameena Mehtar. I must admit, as a child or even a teenager i never really knew much about her. However, as we both got older I guess we formed a bond. I am always reminded of the fact that i have a lot of her habits and personality traits inherent within me. In fact, when i called my Forgi a few days ago to check up on him, the first thing he said was, when i hear your voice, i am reminded of your foi. We both burst out in tears and thats how the conversation ended.

She was a bold, bubbly and vivacious character.She was the kind of person who always visited a funeral home to offer her condolences personally. She was always the first at a wedding home to assist. She was a people's person and hence she knew many people far and wide. She had a big heart and loved entertaining people. Everyone was welcome at her home and hence whenever jamaats from other cities or countries were in town, she would make it her duty to cook for them. She was straight forward and to the point. She never kept anything inside her heart for anyone. What needed to be told was said and then forgotten. I recall her signature trade mark clothing style coupled with pumps and her favourite red lipstick to compliment her fair complexion. She was a splitting image of her mother. Of course in winter, she had to step out of the house with her shawl. As soon as she draped it over her shoulders she was all set and ready to go.

I have a few fond memories of gori foi. I recall all the fun we had in 1998, when we went to Mauritius to attend a family friends wedding along with a few other family members. A few years later whilst i was residing in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, i had the opportunity to make umrah with her and her kids. On that same trip, we met another family friend from Dubai, and once again that trip became a memorable one for all of us. I will always cherish those moments forever. Sunday lunch will never ever be the same at our home. Almost every second week, foi and forgi would visit. Most of the time, mom would cook her favourite dishes. She was very fond of moms fruit cake. With her around, sunday lunch always involved lots of laughter and joking coupled with reminiscing about the past. Gori foi was well travelled. At a young age she had travelled the world and used different modes of transport in other countries but not here in SA due to safety reasons. Hence, when my colleague decided to Uber her and mom home one afternoon after they enjoyed a day at leisure at a shopping centre,she found the entire experience quite hilarious. She kept on asking if she will get home in one piece. " what if the driver kidnaps us".....The one quality i admired in her was the fact that no matter where she was, she never ever missed a salaah.

She left us too quickly, but alas this is the will of God Almighty that can not and must not be questioned. Verily, He is the best of planners. I am certain that without a shadow of doubt she is in a far better place than here. She is finally in peace united with her parents and others from the family who have left this world.Whilst we all will miss her dearly, we take solace in the fact that she passed away on a blessed day, a Friday. May Allah grant her and all other marhoomeen, the highest stages in jannah.

You may have left us foi, but you will always remain in our hearts and duas forever.