A giant on and off the field, Collegians RFC president Armie
| Published date | 20 August 2021 |
| Publication title | Sentinel News |
Messages of condolences that poured in from across the city bear testimony to the high regard colleagues and rivals had for the big man who was laid to rest last Thursday, August 12, at the Mowbray Muslim Cemetery.
Brink, 54, died on August 11, a day after his birthday and barely a month after his wife Fatima, who died in July.
Originally from District 6, Brink grew up with family in Ottery after his family and others were forcibly moved to Mitchell’s Plain.
Understandably those closest to him are still struggling to come to terms with his departure.
“Boeta Armien or Oupie as the grandkids called him was a man in a million,” says son Ridhaa Damon, former razor-sharp scrumhalf with various clubs, including Collegians, SK Walmer and False Bay RFC.
“He married my mom Fatima when I was 7 years old. It was the best decision my mom could have made. He was quite strict with us as kids and kept us in line. It was exactly what we needed. At the same time he was extremely supportive and loved us as his own.
“He was unwaveringly supportive in anything positive that we did from studies, to work and obviously sport.
“He bought my first cricket set and my first pair of rugby boots. He helped in getting me and my sister our first jobs and was always there when we needed any support or advice. He filled the father role brilliantly and our bond definitely grew stronger as time passed,” Damon said.
No tribute to Brink would be complete without mentioning his mother, said Damon, as the two were a match made in heaven.
Long-time friend and co-sports presenter at a popular community radio station, Ierfaan Cassiem, concurs, saying that at one point, the couple both worked at the aptly-named Dream Furnishers, in Wynberg, which, to some extent, symbolises the nature of their union.
“I will always remember Armien as that young boy from James Court, who was well looked after by David and Shayne Hartzenberg. Those brothers were like his personal bodyguards.
“We started at Perivale Primary School and when we reached Standard 2 we transferred to Stephen Road Primary. High School we moved to Parkwood High, before the school became Lotus High in our second year.
“We were always in the same class from Standard 1 right through to Matric. While I was often reckless and a risk taker, Armien was always disciplined and obeyed all the rules.
“We had some fantastic battles on the sports...
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