If you’ve ever tried to park at Small Bay Beach in Bloubergstrand on a summer’s day, chances are you’ve met him. Loud, warm, always smiling — and somehow always remembering your name. To the Bloubergstrand community, Romain Bulakay Kibunda was more than just a car guard. He was a protector, a friend, and, in many ways, the heart of the beachfront. This past week, that heart stopped beating.
Romain passed away after a fierce battle with stage-four lung cancer. But to those who knew him — and there are many — he didn’t go quietly. He fought with the same fire and strength that had defined his life. His son, Lukas Enzo, remembers those final days vividly.
“Let me tell you, my father was a fighter. He didn’t back down, not one bit,” Lukas said. “Shortly before he passed, I saw him picking out his outfits in hopes of making a full recovery. That was heartbreaking to watch.”
Background
Romain was Congolese, the eldest of his siblings on his father’s side, and had faced adversity from a young age. After losing his father, he eventually relocated to South Africa in 2003, arriving with next to nothing — except three children and a determination to build something better. His wife and son followed a year later, and by 2006, the whole family was reunited in Cape Town.
In a new country, faced with unfamiliar challenges and harsh realities, Romain’s commitment to his family never wavered. “He made sure, whether it was good times or bad times, we were always together,” Lukas shared. “To raise four boys and support a wife after starting from scratch? That takes more than strength — it takes spirit.”
And that spirit — vibrant, joyful, impossibly loud — is what made Romain so beloved by locals and beachgoers alike.
“He’d fail every whispering contest,” Lukas laughed. “He was so loud and passionate about everything. And that’s how he became well-known at Kleinbaai Beach. Everyone felt safe around him.”
Mayor of the beach
To many, Romain wasn’t just a car guard — he was “The Mayor of the beach.” He ran the parking lot with a mix of precision, humour, and an incredible ability to connect. He greeted families by name, remembered their stories, and brought a sense of order and warmth even on the busiest summer days. Over time, the community began calling it “Romain’s Beach.”
When his illness took him away from the beach, Lukas stepped in. “I worked there after he was hospitalised,” he said. “And man, the love I received was overwhelming. People shared stories about their relatives who had passed from cancer. I didn’t realise the impact my father had left. To me, he was just ‘Pops.’ I didn’t know he was famous elsewhere.”
That humble realisation — that a man simply living with love, passion, and purpose could change the lives of so many — is the legacy Romain leaves behind. He may not have been rich in money, but as Lukas puts it: “My father was wealthy in spirit. A true gem. And when people say, ‘You have your father’s smile’, I take that as the biggest compliment, because he had the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.”
Romain believed in respect, unity, and community — values he passed down to his four sons. His life, built on sacrifice, laughter, and service, now serves as a model not just for his family but for an entire neighbourhood.
“All I’m trying to do now is make him proud,” Lukas said. “Because at the end of the day, that’s what life is about — love. And I know he’d be proud. I’ll honour him to the best of my ability.”
Hundreds of condolences were posted on social media from the community, mourning the loss of their beloved friend.
Memorial day
In the wake of Romain’s passing, the outpouring of love from the community has been overwhelming. Last week, the community held a memorial day for Romain at Small Bay Beach — the place he called home — where each person brought a flower in his memory.
“It was a moment of shared grief, love, and deep respect. Now, as we prepare to lay him to rest with the honour he deserves, I’ve launched a BackaBuddy campaign to help cover the funeral costs. My father gave so much of himself to the people around him, and I want to give him a farewell that reflects the impact he made. If Romain ever made you smile, made you feel safe, or simply remembered your name — I humbly ask for your support. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to giving this extraordinary man the dignified goodbye he earned.”
*Visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-for-romains-funeral
