From matric ball dreams to funeral preparations: A father's heart-wrenching story

IOL News

2 days ago

A somber scene in Brackenfell, marking the spot where four promising futures were cut short in a tragic accident.
Image: Supplied
The father of a Grade 12 learner who died in a horror car crash in Brackenfell together with three others has described how he now has to change matric ball preparations for a funeral.
It had been 17-year-old Perth Keaden Eksteen's dream to wear a white double-breasted suit and drive in a 325 BMW while his family was to be donned all in black on October 3.
But Perth's father, Mark Eksteen, told the Cape Argus they would now be placing his body into a white coffin and a hearse while they would be dressed in black.
Perth's funeral is expected to take place on August 16, depending on the finalisation of DNA testing.
He was killed along with Daniel Jansen van Rensburg, Adrian le Roux and Kiara-Joy Daniels in the tragic car accident on Saturday evening when their vehicle crashed into a tree in Cecil Morgan Road and caught fire, while two other victims were taken to hospital.
'On Saturday, I had the photographer here, showing him where he was going to take photos, what kind of matric ball stand (backdrop) we were going to get, we were still deciding on what car we were going to get for the matric ball,' Eksteen said.
'His friend has a 325 BMW and that is his dream car.
"He wanted a white suit, like a P Diddy type of suit, double-breasted, with some bling on the suit, and all of us must wear black so that he can stand out amongst us and now I am to bury him in a white coffin and all of us will be wearing black.
'I feel like I almost failed to protect him.
'I do not know how I am going to overcome it.'
Eksteen said they were awaiting DNA results.
'We received a call from the detective and the autopsy was done on both boys, who were burnt very badly.
'If you saw on the video, my son was in that vehicle when the flames were so high.
'The DNA testing will be done on Wednesday."
Perth's mother, Sian, who sat next to her spouse during the interview and was overcome with tears and emotion, recalled how her mother had given the name 'Perth' for their first son.
Eksteen shared how he and his son, and his friends, shared fellowship and that he would often give them a scolding if needed.
'All the other boys would come here, I would not say I was harsh but stern,' he said.
'They would swim in the pool, play dominoes.
'I do not know how I am going to cope with this, I sit in his room every night.
'I sit and I ask why, I know it is wrong to ask why, we should not question but I cannot help it.
'He was doing confirmation class in Durbanville and his matric ball was to be on October 3 and he would have turned 18 in December.'
Raithby Universal FC via their Facebook page also shared their condolences to Phillip Daniels Fabe on the passing of his daughter, Kiara-Joy Daniels.
The Cape Argus's sister newspaper, Daily Voice, shared how Fairmont High School took to social media, describing that Perth was a vibrant and unforgettable Grade 12 student.
They also shared the memory of Jansen van Rensburg, who was a past learner, who had been profound on the rugby field and transitioned to homeschooling. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
Cape Argus