We are very appreciative of the overwhelming support received from the community during the saddest time in our lives. We find the loss of our son, Peter Robertson, devastating and it is difficult to understand how any person could murder such a gentle, kind-hearted and caring young man.
We appreciate all the messages, flowers, cards, phone calls, visits and messages we have received since November 26, the day Peter was so tragically shot.
Our hearts go out to his two friends, who was with him when he was shot and whose lives were also threatened and who had to witness their best friend being shot in such a cold-blooded manner.
The trauma that these two young men, Calvin Coetzer and Johnathan de Freitas, had to endure at the tender age of 19 years is tremendous and will take time to heal.
Firstly, we want to thank all Peter’s friends who spent the night of November 26 with us at the hospital, crying and praying with us. We also thank the counsellors, our friends Ron and Elissa and Keith, who supported us through this great time of shock and sadness. To all the other friends of Peter and his girlfriend Alicia, who came to visit Peter in ICCU and prayed for him, it meant so much to us. A special thanks to all the young people who stood a guard of honour for Peter at his memorial. It was really special. Also a great thanks to David, Stephen and Olivia for visiting Peter and for the very meaningful song you performed at his memorial.
The Brackendowns Police and especially Riaan Venter, who called the paramedics, ambulances and even arranged for the specialists to be waiting at the Union Hospital. We received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Police and numerous visits by Colonel Arikum, Captain Foord, Constable Riaan Venter and Colonel Frank Hutchins. A special thank you to Tracey Meintjies for the meaningful poem, your support and speaking to the press. Your love and care made such a difference.
A special thank you to the Brackendowns Baptist Church Community, who visited us, supplied us with meals and supported us in so many ways. A special thanks to all the ladies who supplied the snacks at the memorial. We really appreciate it.
The Union Hospital ICU staff, Dr Plani and Dr Moboyane, we appreciate the dignity and love you displayed towards Peter and us. Thank you for your honesty and the compassionate way in which you prepared us to accept the tragic loss of our beloved son.
A great thanks to Anja for allowing us time to grieve and say goodbye to Peter and to make the decision to donate organs. It comforted us somewhat to know that three people’s lives could be saved through Peter’s organs and to know that at least some good could be done despite the evilness of our son’s murder. Thank you also for your support when we had to identify Peter’s body at the Police Mortuary.
A special thanks also to all our friends, family, work colleagues and ex-colleagues, neighbours who have shown us how much they cared for us.
A special thanks to Paul de Klerk, Mr Jordaan, the SA Pool Federation, Pastors Gavin, Martin, Craig, Justin and Wayne, Dr de Jager and staff for taking the time to attend Peter’s memorial and for sharing your special moments with Peter at this occasion. It reminded us that we were blessed with a wonderful son for nearly 20 years. To the staff at AVBOB, thank you for the lovely programme, flowers and the compassionate way in which you handled the arrangements at Peter’s memorial.
There are so many people who cared deeply about Peter and had meaningful influences on his life. Please forgive us if we do not mention you all by name, but we are so grateful for the impact you had on his life. Peter was truly a very happy person, who lived a full and meaningful life during his nearly 20 years on earth.
Peter and Annemarie Robertson.
