Cape Town – Condolences have continued to pour in for 44-year-old physiotherapist Najmee Marlie, who died shortly after completing his debut Cape Town Cycle Tour at the weekend.
Bystanders, a nurse and two doctors who were also entrants in the race had tried to resuscitate him minutes after he crossed the finish line.
He was rushed to Somerset Hospital where he later died.
Marlie is survived by his widow, Wedaad Adams, a 13-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, said his cousin, Waseem Matthews.
Adams described him as a family man who loved nothing more than to be involved with activities that built strong relations.
“He was an avid supporter of his children’s sporting commitments and an amazing husband,” Adams said, speaking via Matthews.
Matthews, who is also a club-mate of the Walmers Athletic Club, said Marlie was involved in many community development projects.
He also founded a feeding scheme that provides meals to underprivileged people.
“He was well loved within the Western Cape running scene, and he freely offered his services, time and advice to the club’s athletes,” Matthews said.
He said Marlie opened his home after business hours to assist those in need and was dearly loved by his fellow club members.