“He was a kind man who always put others’ needs before his own.” This is how Moenier Davids will be remembered not only by his family, but by the wider Bo-Kaap and District Six communities.
Davids, owner of Bo-Kaap Deli, died on Tuesday 14 February following a heart attack. The 51-year-old started the deli in October 2019 and dedicated most of his time to the Church Street-based establishment.
His nephew Zaid Fakiar says his uncle was a pillar of strength to many. “He was the type of man that any person could go to for advice, for assistance, or whatever. If you look at the amount of people that came to his Janazah (funeral) that should tell you. It (Janazah) was one of the biggest that anyone has ever been to. People only had good things to say about him.”
Fakair says Davids’ sudden passing left a massive gap in the family and community.
“He wasn’t ill. He went to lie down and died in his sleep. His passing is a huge loss to the family. He was someone who was involved in anything, not just family functions, he was involved in his friends’ lives. All his friends were always in contact with him every day. Since he’s had the deli people became much closer to him.”
Fakiar says Davids started the business three years ago and worked tirelessly to build a successful diner.
“He started the business in the midst of lockdown. He was one of the best entrepreneurs I knew. He was at the deli every day, from early in the morning until closing time. He worked Monday to Sunday. He built it from the ground up. Apart from that business, there were many other businesses that he was successful at.”
He adds: “He was a magnificent man. He was always someone that I looked up to and my cousins too. He treated us like we were his own sons.”
Davids’ daughter Tasmin says her father had a gentle soul.
“He was a kind person and would always put everybody before himself. Everything he did was for me and my sister. We were always his priority. He just loved his family. We were very proud of him.”
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was one of the many who paid tribute to the businessman.
In a Facebook post, he said: “We say farewell to Moenier Davids, a pillar in the community and owner of one of my regular coffee stops, Bo-Kaap Deli. I got to know Moenier as a lovely person and serial entrepreneur. His sudden passing is sad news.”
Davids is survived by two daughters and was buried on Wednesday 15 February according to Muslim funeral rites.
