McKenzie
McKenzie pays tribute to PA graphic designer Earl Davids: “He Was Mr. PA”, as Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie shared a moving eulogy for the talented creative who lost his life in a tragic car accident, turning the moment into lessons on life, family, and party loyalty.
Johannesburg – Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has paid a heartfelt tribute to the party’s graphic designer, Earl Davids, who tragically died in a car accident on Monday morning. Addressing PA members during a live session last night, McKenzie described Davids as the heart of the organisation, saying, “He was Mr. PA.” The emotional speech highlighted Davids’ huge role in the party and turned his passing into teachable moments about appreciating life and standing together as a family.
Davids, aged 40, was on his way to Bloemfontein for work when the accident happened early Monday. He was travelling in a car driven by Pedro Nxusa, with Siwelele FC Head of Marketing Didi Masoetsa also on board. According to reports, the driver crashed into a truck, leading to Davids’ death at the scene. Nxusa and Masoetsa were rushed to hospital for checks and treatment, but thankfully survived with injuries. The family and those close to Davids have asked for privacy as they deal with this painful loss, especially with his birthday just two weeks away – he would have turned 41.
McKenzie, who is also South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, spoke openly about the tough time following the news. He visited Davids’ family in Eldorado Park that same day, meeting his wife and three children. “I look at these children. I look at his three children were sitting there and he broke me. His daughter and I looked at I saw my daughter. It was very difficult for me to sit with these kids tonight,” McKenzie shared. He prayed with them and promised ongoing support, saying, “I’ll always be there for you, my boy,” to Davids’ son and daughters.
In his address, McKenzie painted a picture of Davids as more than just a worker – he was the creative force behind the PA’s look. “Everything you see about the patriotic alliance on social media comes from the hands of Earl and leader Bakan. All left for the PA. All sacrificed is time for the PA. Knew everyone in the PA because he helped everybody with a poster. You want the poster, you want a a poster, you want you want to brand the cars, you want to brand this,” he said. McKenzie called Davids the best graphic designer he had ever met, even in his own business days. “I in my line of business, you dealt a lot with graphic designers. Never met somebody with a talent of never.”
Davids’ skills went beyond the PA. He was well-known in the industry, having worked with big names like Richard Branson and Vodacom. His passion for design shone through in every project, and he gave it his all. At Siwelele FC, the football club owned by McKenzie’s son Calvyn Le’John, Davids created the official logo that fans know today. The club released a statement mourning his loss: “Siwelele FC is mourning the passing of Club Official Earl Davids who passed away in a tragic car accident early Monday morning. Traveling in the car was Head of Marketing Didi Masoetsa, and Driver Pedro Nxusa. Both have been taken to hospital for assessment. Earl was renowned in the graphic industry with his passion and dedication of his work. He worked for many corporates and well established brands such as Richard Branson and Vodacom, his love was designing and gave his all at any task or project given to him. Earl was the mastermind in designing and creating the Siwelele FC official logo.”
Siwelele FC chairman Calvyn Le’John added his own words: “We express our deepest condolences to the Davids family. This is a big loss for the club and the industry at large. His birthday was in two weeks time and was going to turn 41-years-old. Earl was a down to earth gentleman who always had a calm and charming personality and will be missed by all.” The club, which recently bought the PSL status of SuperSport United and rebranded, was gearing up for the new Betway Premiership season when this sad news hit. Calvyn, who goes by his mother’s surname due to his father’s past time in prison during his early years, has spoken before about how the family dug deep to build the team, and Davids played a key part in its visual identity.
McKenzie shared how he pushed his son to hire Davids: “So much so when my son bought a team and he says to me, I’m going to full position. I said, ‘You better make sure you talk to Earl.’ 2 minutes after speaking to Earl, he says, ‘I’m going to give him a job. I’m going to give him also a contract.’ He did.” This showed Davids’ talent and how he touched lives across the McKenzie family.
The PA leader used the tribute to share life lessons from Davids’ death. He stressed that life is short and people should appreciate those around them. “The first lesson you must know is this was the toughest two weeks in my life… life is short… we must appreciate each other. You guys must appreciate each other… Appreciate the people that love you… Pick up the phone, ask for forgiveness. Pick up the phone, call each other, pick up the phone, say, ‘I love you.’” He spoke about recent losses in the PA family, like Jonas White and a young girl named Kiara Choy, to drive home the point.
Another big lesson was about the PA as a true family. When the accident happened, McKenzie called members like Houston and leader Dwayne to rush to the scene and support the family. Many showed up, turning the spot into what looked like a roadblock with cars. But the ambulance took four hours to arrive, leaving people waiting with the body in the bush. “That’s the power of the patriotic alliance. That’s the power of family… We only have us. It could have been me. It could have been you,” McKenzie said.
He warned against letting personal problems make people unkind: “Don’t let your problems make you nasty… I remain the same no matter what I’m facing.” And on recent deaths in the PA, he explained it’s because the party has grown so much. “People have always been dying, but the pe wasn’t there? People didn’t stop dying because we stopped growing because we start growing… P is now the community… That’s why we feeling every pain, every death, every hurt.”
McKenzie ended by urging respect for the PA badge and its meaning. “This is not a political party. Don’t make a mistake. This is a political family… We bring healing to our people.” He thanked members for their support and reminded them to believe in each other.
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