I CELEBRATE the life we shared with Shimane Jeremiah "Checks" Mogale.

Mogale, of 136 Dlamini 2, Soweto, was born on October 16 1956 and died last Thursday. He had been in and out of hospital since the beginning of the year.

What an honest and respectable family man! He was soft-spoken and genuinely cherished the successes achieved by others.

The word "jealousy" was nonexistent in Mogale's vocabulary.

He started school at Mohlaleng Lower Primary, proceeded to Fred Clark and completed his artisanship at George Tabor Vocational Training Centre in Soweto. He then went to work for Johannesburg Water.

Mogale was an ardent Orlando Pirates supporter. We played "challenge" soccer at Mofolo Park until we graduated to the popular Mofolo Dynamos.

This reminds me of the good old days when we appreciated friendship, did things together and most importantly, learnt and experienced life together.

Checks, broer, we will miss you. You led an honest, respectable and clean life. Thank you for the genuine friendship you shared with us.

Mogale is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, sister and three brothers. He will be buried tomorrow. The service will start at Assemblies of God in Rockville (next to Twala's Spares) at 8am and proceed to Lenasia Cemetery at 10am.

Mokoena-o-mogale. Tshukudu ere oe bona- o namele sehlare.