For 30 years, delivery man Raj Harridutt delivered newspapers across uMhlanga and La Lucia, winning the hearts of the community who now mourn his death.
Harridutt was on his usual delivery route last Thursday when he was struck by a car at Park Square in uMhlanga. He died in hospital the next morning.
Residents have started a collection for his family.
One community that feels the void live in the Rolling Hills Country Club housing complex in uMhlanga, where he would religiously deliver papers every morning.
Laren Dovey knew Harridutt ‒ who had turned 59 the week he died ‒ for many years and said they would have a long chat every Friday morning but missed him last Friday.
“We both loved horse racing and every Friday we would talk about the weekend races. He was kind and pleasant, and always ready to chat. I waited for him to come that Friday and he didn’t; little did I know that by then, he had already passed away. When we got the bad news I was devastated. I spoke to his son the next day and he told me how he was knocked over. It is too sad.”
Sheila van der Heever recalled how friendly Harridutt was and how he appreciated any gift he received.
“Raj was such a happy man, full of love for others and especially his family. I knew him for 11 years, and in those years, I never heard him complain. He walked miles every day delivering papers, so we decided to buy him a bicycle. Unfortunately it was stolen.
“I remember when Elwyn Schenk ‒ a fellow Rolling Hills resident ‒ saw his shoes were worn out he bought him a new pair, but Raj was so afraid his lovely new shoes would get stolen that he didn’t use them.
“When Elwyn asked, he said he would use them for special occasions and that his old shoes were still good. This shows you what a wonderful man he was, grateful for every blessing.”
Schenk knew Raj for 37 years, even through his many home moves around the area.
“I moved several times but no matter where, he was always my delivery man. I used to be a Comrades runner and I would ask him if I could please have my paper before my early morning runs, and that’s exactly what he would do, never missed a day.
“I have so many great memories of him, he was just such a friendly and nice man. I know people talk about the shoes incident, it was funny. His shoes resembled those of a circus clown, where the sole flaps. I told him that wasn’t right and bought him a pair of shoes Comrades runners use because they would last, but the next day he wasn’t wearing them. He said he would use them for best occasions.
"Moments like those remind me of what a great man he was. He will always remain in our hearts.”
Melanie Freeman said Harridutt had delivered papers to her for 13 years, and he would never miss a moment to chat.
“Raj was a sweet and dedicated man. We hoped as a community that we could help his family after losing him, which is why we started a contribution drive for him. He was so dedicated to his job that he would tip-toe around my dogs to make sure I had the paper in my hands. Someone like him did not deserve to die the way he did. I was shocked.”
Elmarie Muhl said even though she didn’t get newspapers from him, she would still talk to him because he was such a big part of their community.
“Living here for the last 11 years, Raj was religious with his delivery and never late. Even though I never bought the paper, he would still greet me in such a friendly manner. He was liked by everyone for a reason: he was kind and helpful.”
She said he had helped her out when she once asked him for some old papers for her animal rescue operation. “Next thing I knew, he would come with free papers. I don’t know where he got them from but he worked hard to get them for me.
“I really can’t believe I won’t see him any more: a kind and generous man with a shining smile,” said Muhl.