THE community of Manenberg is mourning the loss of a spiritual giant, after beloved pastor Winston Fouten passed away on Monday.
Pastor Winston Fouten, 61, tragically passed away on 2 March at Groote Schuur Hospital after suffering a heart attack.
He was fondly known for his ministry work at Lily Ministries Bible Church, alongside his wife, Margaret, and their work at the Little Lilies Educare located on the corner of Sabie and Scheidt Road.
The educare centre, which falls under the church and is part of the City’s Early Childhood Development Programme, was a calling for the couple after they were asked to take over when it was still known as Manenberg Pre-Primary.
They gave it a revamp and turned it into their own little saving grace for youngsters in one of the Cape’s most violent neighbourhoods.
His sister, Charlene Esau, told the Daily Voice that in November 2022, he had a major stroke, which led to him stepping away from his duties, focusing more on administration.
Esau explained: “When he had the stroke, it was a hemorrhagic stroke which affected his frontal lobe and led him to be paralyzed on the right side of his body.
“He would mostly help out with doing the commissioning of oaths and not too much physical work, and that’s what the past four years were like.”
His daughter, Chanelle van Niekerk, said that when her father’s stroke, she managed his accounts and in doing so, she found that he had sent money for groceries and electricity to people in the community, something her and her mother weren’t aware of.
She added: “My father was that type of person. Like the Bible said, ‘we need to become like Christ’. “Every Sunday, the whole family was at church. The last Sunday he served communion, it was almost like it was our last supper with him.
“My father really played a big role in the community; he was humble, selfless and would do anything for his kids.
“He was even a better grandfather as he never missed his grandchildren’s extra-mural activities.
“He made sure you felt loved. Even the gangsters had respect for him.”
Ramona Biggs, who is in charge of the administration of the Ministry and has known the family for over 35 years, said Fouten was like a father to her.
She explains: “He stood in the gap when I lost my parents and grandparents. I was blessed to have Pastor walk me down the aisle last December at our wedding. We were the last wedding that Pastor officiated.”
Manenberg Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Keegan Hendricks added: “He did a great job in Manenberg and made a huge impact.”