Melindah Sango, 24, a well-known face in Grahamstown, was found dead on Friday night at her home. Details concerning her death are not yet known and police are investigating.
Melindah Sango, 24, a well-known face in Grahamstown, was found dead on Friday night at her home. Details concerning her death are not yet known and police are investigating.
Mel, as she was fondly known among friends, was a bartender at the former Champs Action Bar and, more recently, at Slipstream Sports Bar in New Street.
Described by patrons as always ready to greet them with her contagious smile and upbeat attitude, she had worked as a bartender in Grahamstown for more than six years.
Erica Wertlen, a close friend, said, "She was very well known and very well loved. Her former employer, Mike Theron, said "She will be dearly missed." Something of a mother figure among friends, Mel often referred to them as her 'children'.
Mel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Law, at Rhodes University in 2009 and has remained in Grahamstown ever since. Mel was born in the United States and friends said her family moved around a lot.
Most recently, she spent time in Zimbabwe, where her family still lives. Friends said Grahamstown was her second home. Kate Douglas, a close friend, said of Mel, "Mel was one of the more beautiful people in the world and in many ways she made life look easy. But it is impossible to describe our Mel in all her complexity.
"What I can say is that a lot of people are heartbroken to have lost their good friend, confidant and sister." A memorial service will be held for Melindah at Slipstream Sports Bar, at 2pm on Wednesday.
