Former Good Hope station manager Brendan Ficks dies from COVID-19-related complications
Brendan Ficks, a former Good Hope FM station manager, passed away from COVID-19-related complications on Friday, 25 December 2020; ten days after losing both his parents to the virus.
Good Hope FM confirmed the news on Saturday:
“It is with great sadness that we, the Good Hope FM family, have to bid farewell to our ex-colleague former Good Hope FM Station Manager, Brendan Ficks who passed away yesterday [25 December 2020]”.
Good Hope FM said in a statement that Ficks “sadly succumbed after he was hospitalised due to COVID-related complications.”
“He sadly lost both his parents in the past ten days due to COVID-related illnesses and our heartfelt condolences go out to his sister, Claudia, and her son Keenan”.
A few weeks ago, I took a parking bay next to Brendan Ficks, we spoke about plans for 2021 and met his Dad. It has been…
Posted by Gershawn Coetzee on Friday, 25 December 2020
Life is indeed transient. I am saddened by the news of the passing away of my former colleague at the Public…
Posted by James Shikwambana on Friday, 25 December 2020
On Tuesday, 15 December, Ficks shared on Facebook that both his parents had been hospitalised and tested positive for COVID-19. Ficks confirmed that he had also tested positive.
Ficks said at the time that he had “no breathing problems” but would remain in quarantine at home nevertheless. He remarked how it dawned on him that this family had become “part of the stats”.
“So it’s official: Both my parents are in hospital with COVID-19. I’ve received my results today and I’m also positive. […] As I read the latest COVID-19 stats today I realised how we have become part of these stats as well. At first, these stats were just numbers far away from me.”
He explained that the reality of COVID-19 came “closer as friends contracted the virus and even died”. He added everything changes once a person becomes “part of this unfortunate statistic”.
We woke up to the sad news of the passing of my former colleague at the Public Broadcaster – former @GoodHopeFM Station Manager Brendan Ficks. I am so heartbroken. Rest in Power brother 💔💔💔💔💔. pic.twitter.com/6bkNWlxrHy
— James Shikwambana (@JamesBigjam) December 26, 2020
It is with great sadness that we, the Good Hope FM family, have to bid farewell to our ex-colleague former Good Hope FM Station Manager, Brendan Ficks who passed away yesterday. #COVID19 #COVID19SA pic.twitter.com/C1TeIdWjSQ
— Good Hope FM (@GoodHopeFM) December 26, 2020
Ficks asked his followers to keep his family in their prayers, and “stay positive in your mindset and outlook on life”. His mother passed away on Wednesday 16 December, while his father passed two days later.
Back in July, Ficks asked on Twitter if “any South Africans [are] working on a vaccine for [COVID-19]”, and jokingly added:
“We have a history of offering inventors when it was most required. People like Dr. Chris Barnard, Mark Shuttleworth and Elon Musk. You are welcome to use my surname for your cure. I will only charge 1% of your earnings”.
Also read: COVID-19 latest: Confirmed cases increase by 14 796, deaths now exceed 26 000
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