JON is catching on. It took four days, but finally en route to Cape Town, his admin skills came to the fore as he hustled and bustled the organisation for the Heritage Day Concert in Pinelands.
I spent most of the trip driving while Jon was hammering away on his phone. It was quite nice: lost in my own thoughts, admiring the beautiful countryside, listening to Frank Sinatra and pondering the mysteries of how on earth he could still sound so compelling all these decades later. But maybe that’s just me…
Lunch stop saw us absorbing the sights and smells of Oumeul in Riviersonderand. Quaint little spot. Good place to stock up on padkos, stretch the legs and then get moving again.
Cape Town has long been a home-away-from-home for me. My first adventure as a solo musician was when Jon was in first year at UCT and I gathered up every last cent from my little gigs and travelled here to explore the music possibilities and run the Two Oceans half marathon. Special times.
So on this particular day, we cruised into Cape Town 2 hours ahead of the gig, which was in aid of the National Sea & Rescue Institute (NSRI). Three years ago to the day, Jon’s good friend Mndeni disappeared off the rocks at Llandudno beach. The show was put together to celebrate his life and raise awareness of the work that the NSRI do.
It was a truly special evening, shelved away in the hall, with a wide range of people from different walks of life.
One thing brings us all together though, and that’s a shared sense that life is worth living. It really is. For example: I, among other things, live to see the day Jon finds his wife. Given his skills in making Tuesday happen, I would say he’s right near the top of SA’s eligible bachelor’s list.
