Nothing can bring him back. That is a reality close friends of the late entrepreneur and chef Tebello "Tibz' Motsoane are struggling to come to terms with as they filled up Sacred Heart College in Observatory, Johannesburg. But they came in numbers to celebrate his life at his memorial service. Not even the loadshedding could stop the day from running smoothly. The choir from his former high school at Sacred Heart College, where he was class of of 2000, lined up outside of the school hall. It was packed to the brim. Tibz (40)and rapper Kiernan "AKA' Forbes's family walked into the school hall. Tears, sniffing, utter silence, just the tapping of footsteps filled the room. Tibz's family, AKA's family; mom, dad, brother, DJ Zinhle, and his girlfriend Nadia Nakai, all comforted each other as they walked through inside the hall. Mourners were welcomed by Tibz's childhood friend and programme director Tebogo Molausi, who shares some brief memories before an opening prayer. 

FRIENDS REMEMBER HIS LIFE

Tebogo pleaded with the audience to give Tibz and AKA a round of applause for lives well lived. Before you knew it, the room was roaring with applause, shaking the wooden floors at the school. The Sacred Hearts Choir belts out Yehla Moya and the African hymn, Tsohle before Mrs. Blanckensee, a former high school teacher pays tribute to Tibz, the gentle giant who sat at the back of the class. "He made a difference to his friends, by just being a gentle giant,' she said. "In his own gentle, caring concerned way, he impacted our lives. My memories of Tebello and his peer group are one of love, brothers, and sisters to one another.' Life-long friends Zoya Sisulu and Michael Cross shared funny and emotional moments from school until his adult life. "He was focused on his goals. He was a master at what he does.' Zoya emohasised how he was also a trendsetter through his image, suits, cigars, and events. "He was an adviser, although not all his advice was taken. You felt his presence when he walked into the room. He had a way with people and a way with words.' Michael added. More friends joined in to share Tibz's love for basketball and sports. His former coach Roger King shared how he respected the game of basketball and his teammates. "He was an absolute joy to watch, as he was willing to learn. He developed very fast and his love for basketball showed. His respect for the game, fellow teammates, and opponents. He never saw himself as better than others but always an integral part of the team.'

MEMORIES LIVE ON

Speaking on behalf of his family Tibz's cousin Stephen Kitledi said the family is guttered by his death. "I don't even know where to begin. One thing I am going to miss is that engaging smile.' His childhood friend Ruduf Randera-Rees recalled them as toddlers until their adult life. "Before there was Tibz the celebrity chef, music producer, or club owner, there was four-year-old Tibz who was with me at Sacred Heart. We would run around naked in the sprinklers. He hated it when I would bring it up now as adults, but it happened. There was 10-year-old Tibz, who was the bravest of my friends.' He recalled visiting him in Spruitview, where Tibz grew up and had the fondest memories and how he valued their real friendship.                                                                                                                                                                                             Bradley Williams shared his music industry experience working with Tibz. "I didn't know Tibz for a very long time. He was for the most part an industry acquaintance. I knew him as an artist manager and events promoter. We collaborated on some interesting projects where I got to know him. The first time I met him, I found someone who had designed his life with meticulous detail,' he remembered. "Tibz had a gift in fostering creativity. He nurtured young artists and DJs. His artist and clients could walk on any stage.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chef Wandile Mabaso equally sang his praises and said, 'We mentored each other, and he became an older brother. I taught him all the tricks of cooking. He learned very fast.' He added that about three months ago before the festive season, he and Tibz were in Cape Town together and they had a heart-to-heart. "I'd never seen Tibz this happy in a very long time. We had a deep conversation about how he felt about and the entertainment industry, the club, and the music industry was something of the past and he would like to leave them in the past. He considered it a dark past and considered the new future something that brought light and a second part of his life,' Wandile said. "He was excited about the second half which was supposed to begin this year. Unfortunately, our brother didn't make it to the second half... I will make sure his name lives on.'