The one inevitability in life is that we all die. Yet sometimes our death is so sudden and unexpected that we immediately leave behind a void that is seemingly impossible to fill. When we die so suddenly; without farewells, without reason; we leave behind family and friends, traumatized and numbed by the finality of it all.

With the untimely death last weekend of photographer/journalist Grant Erskine, the art community in KZN and SA at large lost one of its true sons. Grant Erskine was a true Ambassador of Light. Apart from his talent as a photographer, he was one of those rare souls that God and the Universe now and then produce who are brought here to teach us something. His humility and engaging demeanour taught me much.

The irony is that this space I am occupying today was scheduled to be filled with an article written by Grant about me and my recent sponsorship deal with Eastern Cape Luthier Ian Corr. I was probably the last person Grant Erskine interviewed and photographed. We met last Thursday at Durban Botanical Gardens, had tea and scones and spent the next hour giggling and taking pics in the wonderful surroundings we were in. I teased him (as I always did) about his lack of sending me pics he’d taken of me over the years and joked that I’d be getting my lawyer to contact him in this regard. When we parted to our respective vehicles and left, I drew up alongside him at the corner of Botanic Gardens Road, waved goodbye and turned left for Umbilo. Grant went right back to his Newspaper office. That was it. He was to die within hours.

I will always remember Grant Erskine for his generosity and willingness to help. He was always there if you needed a mention in the paper. Countless Durban musicians, actors and other artists benefited from his generosity. Grant was a stalwart supporter of the Durban Folk Club, Splashy Fen and many other cultural endeavours. I will remember his dry wit and his gorgeous little chuckle. His death is a blow to all of us. My thoughts are with his family, his siblings, his many friends and compadre’s.

Rest in peace Grant Erskine, Ambassador of Light; your legacy is sound, your footprint in history assured; some of us will never forget you.

Syd Kitchen
Musician