Krugersdorp, Gauteng – A profound and unimaginable grief has enveloped Johan Barnard, a 37-year-old father from Krugersdorp, whose world was irrevocably torn apart last Thursday when both his young sons, eight-year-old Dean and two-week-old LJ, passed away just hours apart on the same devastating day. The boys, both born with the rare and complex heart condition known as Shone’s complex, had been admitted to hospital last week battling a severe lung infection.
Speaking for the first time about his crushing loss, a weeping Barnard conveyed the depth of his despair to IOL on Monday. “This is a pain I never knew a person could feel,” he confessed, his voice heavy with sorrow. For five consecutive nights since the tragedy, the distraught father has found solace only in tears, crying himself to sleep as he grapples with the sudden and simultaneous loss of his "klein bulletjies."
Shone’s complex is a rare congenital heart condition characterised by several defects that severely restrict blood flow on the left side of the heart. This makes it incredibly difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively throughout the body. Given the intricate connection between the heart and lungs, the reduced blood and oxygen flow leaves children afflicted with this condition highly vulnerable to serious respiratory illnesses, such as the lung infection that ultimately claimed the lives of Dean and LJ.
Barnard had remained steadfastly by his sons’ bedsides in hospital, offering fervent prayers for their recovery. Despite his unwavering hope and devotion, fate had a different, cruel path for his children. “It still needs to sink in,” the father admitted, struggling to comprehend the enormity of his loss. He offered a poignant reflection on their brief lives: “For all we know, this is what the Father wanted, because He gave them to us for a time, the biggest gift I could ever ask for, and now He has taken them back.”
The family’s nightmare began last Wednesday when both boys fell ill, displaying a worrying “yellow-ish” pallor. Baby LJ was the first to be rushed to Paardekraal Hospital in Krugersdorp by his mother, Liesel, after his condition rapidly deteriorated. “His oxygen levels had dropped and by the time we arrived, he had already lost brain function because he had gone without oxygen for too long,” Barnard recounted. The doctors, facing a dire situation, called the parents in to deliver the devastating news that they did not believe LJ would survive.
Concurrently, Dean’s condition worsened at home, necessitating his admission to Leratong Hospital. Both children were placed on treatment, but their fragile states continued to decline throughout the night. Barnard described LJ’s struggle: “LJ was on oxygen support. His oxygen levels had dropped significantly and his heart rate was very high.”
The following morning, as Barnard was en route to visit his infant son, he received the shattering call that LJ had passed away. “I just broke… I cannot even explain that feeling,” he said, reliving the moment his world “caved in.” “You are on your way to your child, and then you hear he is gone.” Overwhelmed by shock and disbelief, he burst into tears, struggling to process the news. At the hospital, his wife Liesel held their baby, a moment of profound sorrow. “I was still in shock,” Barnard stated. “She held him there… she held our baby.”
From Paardekraal, Barnard then made the heartbreaking journey to Leratong Hospital, clinging to the faint hope that he might still be able to take Dean home. He spent precious time with his eldest son, but hospital staff conveyed the grim prognosis that things were not looking promising. Later that evening, at approximately 8pm, the machines monitoring Dean went haywire, and the family received the second, equally devastating news: Dean had also died.
Dean, who would have celebrated his ninth birthday in November, was remembered as a vibrant and spirited child. His mother, Jackie Duvenage, described him simply as “a happy child” who was "always, always happy," even through years of illness. “I don’t even know how else to explain it. He was just happy.” Duvenage explained that Dean’s complex cardiac condition meant he spent long periods of his early life in and out of hospital. “He was strong… very strong,” she affirmed.
Despite his severe health challenges, Dean lived a full and active life, never allowing his condition to define him. “He was very active. Very busy. Always on the move,” Duvenage recalled, highlighting his resilience. “That’s what I will always remember about him… how strong he was. From the day he was born, through everything he went through, he never gave up. Never.” Over the past few years, Dean was primarily raised by his grandmother, Magda, who was too distraught to speak, while his mother managed his extensive medical needs and appointments.
Teachers and classmates at Ebenaezer Primary School also shared fond memories of Dean, describing him as a boy who was perpetually smiling, friendly, and full of energy. “He was a precious boy, friend and learner who will always be remembered for his kindness, beautiful smile and special spirit,” the school stated, extending its deepest condolences to his family, friends, teachers, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. His teacher, Chantel Labuschagne, added, “He was always friendly and had a smile on his face. He was definitely a lively little boy who kept us on our toes.”
Barnard painted a similar picture of Dean, recalling him as a lively, loving child who was always smiling, playing, and full of energy. “He was a joker,” he said. “He loved making people laugh and we loved him dearly.” The father spoke of the close bond within their family: “They were two lovely little children. We were a very close family. They were very close to one another and very close to us.”
“He was a character on his own and both my boys were my 'bulletjies',” Barnard concluded, his voice laced with profound sorrow. “I miss them and I am trying to hold it together.” Barnard also has a 10-year-old stepdaughter who does not reside with him. The community now rallies around the grieving family, offering support as they navigate this unimaginable double loss, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of a parent's love.
