by Thinus Ferreira
The event organiser Aleit Swanepoel who is the founder and chairman of The Aleit Group has died in his sleep during Sunday night. He was 47.
The event organiser and wedding planner was known for his TV series Tyd met Aleit on kykNET (DStv 144) that ran for 6 seasons.
In a statement, The Aleit Group says "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our founder, Aleit Swanepoel".
"Aleit passed away in his sleep, and while there is no further information to share at this moment, we ask that you keep his family in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time."
"Aleit was an innovator, perfectionist, and creative genius whose flamboyant persona and dedication will be greatly missed. We will continue to uphold and nurture his great legacy through all Aleit businesses and entities."
Aleit Swanepoel forged a career in South Africa's hospitality industry where he worked in several hotels and also managed a 5-star restaurant in Stellenbosch, worked at a wine company and in PR after which hs founded the Aleit Wedding and Function Coordination in 2002.
By 2006 it became the Aleit Group that did wedding planning and bridal styling, including Aleit Munich as its first international branch, corporate events, an online shop, and the Aleit Academy offering an events coordination course.
His first book, 100 Words about Weddings, was published in 2007. He leaves behind an adopted daughter, Kateline.
Aleit Swanepoel who was born in 1974 in Worcester in the Western Cape and studied at Unisa, previously appeared as a presenter of DeKATtv across three seasons, and across shows ranging from Top Billing to Pasella. He became known as a celebrity wedding planner, managing the wedding of the former Miss SA and Miss World, Rolene Strauss.
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels, told TVwithThinus in a statement on Monday "It was with shock that the kykNET team this morning learnt of the passing of Aleit Swanepoel who was a popular presenter with our viewers".
"His unbridled energy and passions touched everyone who got to know him. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."
