Leonel Goncalves Canha, a pioneering member of the Welkom Portuguese community, passed away on 14 July. He was 94 years old.
Canha arrived in South Africa from Madeira in 1960, and settled in Welkom. He worked for the Frasers Company, and in the late 60’s he relocated to Virginia where he opened his own business and remained self-employed until the 80’s.
Thereafter, Canha worked as a sales representative for Cardoso Cigarettes until he retired in 1999.
He was a founding member of the Goldfields Portuguese Club in Welkom in 1975, recognised as member No. 1 within the club which still exists today.
Additionally, he was a founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO) Academia of Bacalhau, or Academy of the Codfish, in Welkom in 1985.
Canha was asked to compose the anthem of the academy. The song was recorded at Little Bee Studios Johannesburg in 1989. It is still sung at all 66 of the academy’s branches for their worldwide meetings and congresses. His name will forever be associated with this NPO for its “friendship and good deeds” theme.
Canha was married to Maria Bela, who passed away in 2014.
In 2015 he moved into the Lar Rainha Santa Isabel Old Age Home in Johannesburg, where he lived until his passing.
Canha is survived by his three children, his son Nelson and his wife, Ansa; daughter Sonia van der Merwe and her husband, Anton; and his second son Robi and his wife, Troes.
The grandchildren he leaves behind are Cha-Marie Allen, Jean Canha, Nico Canha, Valerie Ann Winter, Dylan van der Merwe, Guy Canha, Russel Winter and Zak Winter.
His four great grandchildren, Declan Canha, Ava Allen, Dominick Canha, and Milena Canha also carry on his memory.
His memorial will be on 4 August at the Martins Funeral Chapel, 564 Ontdekkers Road, Johannesburg, scheduled to start at 10:00.
