He went to the Salvation Army Officers Training College to train as an Officer and later got married to Teresia ,who is my mother.Together they had four children Qhelani Nompumelelo, Mvikeli and Qhubekani

Life was so incredibly sweet, ripe golden and easy until one day.

It was on a bright Thursday. the weather was magnifiscent.A clear blue shiny day with sharply planted clouds in the sky.The heat made every thing slow lazy and dull. It was as if the world had started mourning.

I was at Gwabalanda kwababakazi, my usual hide out,when, like Mike Tyson's blow on Hollyfield,slowly but incredibly hard, the news broke to me that MY FATHER HAD DIED in a car accident.

He was going to Mbembeswana where he was doing what he new best.Preaching the word of God.He was laid to rest on Tuesday 25 June 1996.I had last talked to him on Sunday 16th June.when it was his welcome party from the UK yet it was a farewell party. Body viewing was done and the last time I saw his face was on his burial day 13:25hrs.

Despite his unirvesal popularity He was soft spoken and respectful. He was the kind of young men whom every parent dreamt of as a son and every woman as a lover,.

He was handsome.Elegant.He had class.Tall, thin with high cheek bones and full of energy.This is not something that he bossed or cared about ,but some people did and they liked him for that. Other people liked to see him move around for he moved with confidence and purpose, some would open their ears wide when ever his lips parted because the words he would say were wise.There are some people who would imitate him but failed to be like him.Some would fake it.But Elias did not fake it. He had it. He was born with it.He had it from God. It was a blessing from the almighty.It was a plesure to have him as a father, Friend and leader.

His favourite chorus was ngizakusebenzela Nkosi which means Lord I will work For thee. When he sang it,He wore the expression of a child, but his voice bore the authority of a biblical maniach.

Your enjoyment has become a legendary tale,You have left us depressed.Tears will dry but the heart will only heal in eternity.Your voice will only be had in dreams, for what you have left is pain.Pain that will never end.

TRULLY YOU WERE AND ARE A HERO

Silent thoughts linger on tears unseen roll down.

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU WAS AND IS STILL A PUZZLE NEVER TO BE SOLVED