Hey Doc @sindivanzyl . So many have shared their beautiful memories of you today. You truly touched the lives of so many people around the world. How do we even begin to find the words to describe what you meant to us all? But I have to try. Here’s my Sindi story:

It was because of *that* cake that you were tweeted into my TL. I read your thread, shocked. How could people willingly do that to themselves? And then I checked myself. Because as a recovering addict, hadn’t I made equally poor life choices? Who was I to judge?

I quote tweeted your thread, never expecting you to respond - but you did. Because that was your superpower. You made time for everyone, even weirdos like me, sitting 8000km away in the desert.

We tweeted back and forth about the nature of addiction, and the effects of substance abuse on the mind and body.

And then one day you slid into my DMs, to ask my advice on how you could help somebody who was battling with addiction in their relationship. That was another superpower. You connected those in need with those who could help.

We spoke for a long while on the phone. I shared my experiences about the effects of addiction on the addict, from the addict’s point of view. We spoke about the harsh truth of interventions and how rarely they worked. I told you my story, so you could help others.

And in that telling of my story of addiction, you showed me another superpower: absolute compassion; zero judgement. Your only intent was to listen, learn and help. And that was you all over - you lived your life in service of others.

That was how our friendship started. After that, we’d message each other from time to time, to check in, to celebrate wins, to share stories, connect. You really made me feel seen, and loved, and worthy.

And then you came to Dubai! We both got lost in Bloomingdales trying to find each other. What a laugh! Meeting you and Marinus was one of the best days of my life - I fell in love with both of you - how could anyone not? The love between you was really something to behold!

You were hoping to come back to Dubai, and then the world changed and we went into lockdown - no more travel plans.

Through it all, you continued to connect people, to teach, to uplift, to heal people. You brought people together. You shared yourself so willingly, so generously.

Sindi, I am sad the future is one without more stories about the Caramellos, no more Sidebar with Sindi, no more DJ Sindi & Prosecco tweets. No more stories saying that even though the Mustang was great, for you the best car in the world was your beloved blue Corolla.

But I don’t want to wallow in the sadness. That’s not a Sindi vibe. Instead I want to remember the powerhouse that was Sindi van Zyl. I want to remember all the laughs, the compassion, the love - everything that made you you.

They say that as long as your name is on the tongue of those whose lives you’ve touched, you will live on. Sindi, you live on in all of us. Thank you for you. Rest In Peace, my friend. #RIPDrSindi