Durban residents are mourning the death of iconic beachfront personality, the “Bird Man” who passed away recently.
Tom van Niekerk, a well-liked person, was often seen riding his bike on the promenade with his birds perched on his head and shoulders.
A familiar figure on the North Beach stretch, Mr Van Niekerk attracted the crowds by allowing children and others to pose for photographs with some of his birds perched on them.
Tributes for Mr Van Niekerk, who passed away peacefully at his home last month, have been pouring in on social media.
Arriving on the scene in the late 1990s Mr Van Niekerk had three African Grey parrots, a baby Indian Mynah and Captain Morgan, a pigeon, which were on him at all times.
Having given them names such as Bubbles, Charlie, Captain Morgan and Baby Mynah, Mr Van Niekerk had described them as his “life”.
Unfazed by him cycling with them on his shoulders, often whistling and chirping, Mr Van Niekerk had said in earlier articles done on him that “it probably was the same effect as flying”.
Mr Van Niekerk had said the birds enjoyed having a shower on the beachfront and often shared some of his ice-cream and cooldrink.
Yusuf Abdulla, who knew Mr Van Niekerk well, said he had had a “very difficult life towards the end”.
“He was such a pleasant and friendly guy. I really felt sorry for him, watching him walking on the beach battling to make ends meet. Sometimes we could help him out with more, sometimes we couldn’t and now it’s too late for anything,” said Mr Abdulla.
Vashti Toms said she hoped someone would care for his one remaining bird.
“This breaks my heart. He was such a gentle caring man. I hope someone deserving and capable has his baby bird now. When I saw him a few weeks ago, he told me that one of them had passed away and that his remaining one was grieving. This is so heartbreaking,” said Ms Toms.
