by Thinus Ferreira
The talented South African scriptwriter Christian Blomkamp has died from Covid-19 complications. He was 44.
Christian Blomkamp who was born on 25 November 1976 has been
hospitalised after contracting Covid-19 and died on Friday 30 July with friends
and colleagues who said that although he’s gone his stories will live on.
"Our beautiful son and brother to Cath died this afternoon," his father, Paul wrote on Facebook. "Tonight we travel a different road. A scary and utterly lonely road. Our love for him is the one light we have to show the way. We love you dear Christian. For always."
As a TV writer Christian Blomkamp scripted numerous episodes for several of the country's most-watched shows.
Christian Blomkamp was a former head writer for the Morula Pictures-produced Generations on SABC1.
He also wrote for The Wild on M-Net (DStv 101), as well as series on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel like Isibaya produced by The Bomb Shelter, Gomora produced by Seriti Films, and The Omen produced by Magic Drum Films.
Christian Blomkamp was also a scriptwriter on SABC3's Isidingo, as well as a storyliner and senior writer on e.tv's weekday soap Rhythm City produced by Quizzical Pictures until that show's conclusion in mid-July.
Zeli Zulu, Rhythm City head writer, in a tribute, told TVwithThinus that "Christian Blomkamp was, like the, characters he created and the stories he wrote, a special human being".
"He was kind, gentle and generous. Everything he did, he gave of himself completely - a talented writer who, in his own words, 'just wanted to tell a good story'. And he gave us great stories, the greatest one being the story of his life. To know Chris was to love him. He had a cheeky sense of humour, a natural ability to bring light, even in the darkest of times."
"His loyalty to those he loved was steadfast and unwavering. His commitment to the industry, unmatched."
"This is an incredible loss, but we take heart in knowing that right up until the very end, he was doing what he loved the most - telling stories. He may be gone from this world, but his stories will live on. Until we meet again, friend, brother, son and scribe".
The producer, writer and actress Tiffany Barbuzano told TVwithThinus about Christian Blomkamp in a tribute that "We met when we were bright-eyed and ready to take on the
world. We shared so many incredible moments at university together. Broken
hearts, beautiful dreams, secret crushes".
"You loved to tease me with your 'soft
hands'. Your beautiful piano player hands. You wanted nothing more than to be
loved and deserved nothing but the best kind of love. You understood story and
character on a level most only wish they could."
"Nothing made me laugh more than
your astute commentary on our industry and the people who work in it. Dearest
friend, we never got to write that script together ... I never got to taste one of
your incredible patisserie creations. But I will always hold our friendship deep in my heart. Rest gently
beautiful friend. You'll always have a place at our table."
The radio presenter Bailey
Georgiades (Schneider) who does The Bailey Boost podcast host, and who now lives Athens, Greece and blogs at vanillablonde.co.za described her friend to TVwithThinus as "an incredibly special man, with some of the best storytelling skills I've
ever come across".
"I am absolutely devastated to lose Christian Blomkamp - one of the most
talented, kindest, funniest and most thoughtful! I was one of the lucky ones to
have him as one of my best friends and I adored him."
"Christian was one of the
best storytellers I've ever met! He created the best stories and characters
for TV viewers all over SA, scriptwriting for The Wild, former headwriter of
Generations, Isidingo, Isibaya, Rhythm City and more."
"His talent didn’t end with writing, he was doing an impressive
pastry chef course, which just showed how he could do anything he put his mind
to. Proud is an understatement!"
"I'm going to miss him more than I know how to
put into words - he has left a massive void in my life and I am heartbroken!
Rest in peace my incredible friend ... until we meet again."
