GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Sporting legend Japie Masimla unknowingly started his last 50km race, the recent Bruintjieshoogte marathon in Somerset East, on 26 April, in honour of his brother who had passed away a week before the race.
He had his brother's profile picture on his facebook status and the letters RIP.
Tragically, Japie suffered a heart attack and stroke 4km before the finish line. He died the following Thursday in hospital.
Japie's untimely death shocked the Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet, which nearly came to a standstill on Saturday, 5 May, during his funeral service. All sporting events for the day were played in his honour.
He was a hero who lived life to its fullest, but three things stood out. Most important was his love for his family. He was married to his wife Rayvita for 32 years, and they had three children.
Japie worked at the Department of Correctional Services for 35 years and was a sportsman all his life. He was a popular referee at school level as well as club level and served for many years on the Karoo Sub Union Referee Association.
At the Department of Correctional Services, he was part of the team of DCS officials that established the National Referee association in the Department. His career as a referee took him across the country. Japie was a dedicated referee until his untimely death.
He received many awards in his life but two that stood out need to be mentioned. He won an award from the Eastern Province Rugby Union as the Best Rugby Referee. He also ran The Comrades Ultra Marathon for over twenty years, and was award double green colours and entered into the Wall of Fame as a Comrades Runner.
At his funeral service, a lifelong friend and local councillor Eldon Carolus, and colleague and friend Hento Davids, delivered moving tributes to the life of Japie and saluted him for the impact he had made in the life of others.
Proposals are already being considered for holding memorial events to honour Japie's legacy, and in fact, one informal event has already taken place.
On Sunday, 6 May, several members of the Graaff-Reinet Running Club set out to run along the N9 from Graaff-Reinet towards Aberdeen. The runners completed the distance that they were comfortable with, ably supported by a staunch back-up team. Elise Steynberg managed to complete the full 57km in seven hours- a fitting tribute to a popular and long-term member of the club.
The runners were very grateful for donations received, and also to those who supported on the day in practical ways. The club handed the donations that they had received to the family, to be used for expenses incurred with Japie's illness and death.
Elise, who had organised the race in Japie's honour, remembered Japie as an inspiration for many people, humble, positive, dutiful, friendly and, to the end, an example of perseverance.
"May he rest in peace in the knowledge that his deep footprints, which he left in our community and in Graaff Reinet Running Club, will always be cherished."
He will be missed by his sporting family, all that knew and worked with him but mostly his loving wife Rayvita children Tivvy, Abeeda, Heinrich, daughter in law and grandchildren.
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