Aleit Swanepoel.
Photo: kykNET/MutliChoice
Aleit Swanepoel, the founder and chairman of The Aleit Group, has died. He was 47.
The event organiser and wedding planner is best known for his TV series Tyd met Aleit on kykNET (DStv 144), which ran for 6 seasons.
In a statement on Instagram, The Aleit Group said, "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our founder, Aleit Swanepoel".
"Aleit passed away in his sleep, and while there is no further information to share at this moment, we ask that you keep his family in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time," the statement continued.
"Aleit was an innovator, perfectionist, and creative genius whose flamboyant persona and dedication will be greatly missed. We will continue to uphold and nurture his great legacy through all Aleit businesses and entities."
SEE THE FULL POST HERE:
Swanepoel, who was born in 1974 in Worcester in the Western Cape and studied at Unisa, forged a career in South Africa's hospitality industry, where he worked in several hotels and managed a 5-star restaurant in Stellenbosch. He worked at a wine company and in PR, after which he founded the Aleit Wedding and Function Coordination in 2002.
By 2006 it became the Aleit Group that did wedding planning and bridal styling, including Aleit Munich as its first international branch, corporate events, an online shop, and the Aleit Academy, which offered an events coordination course.
Swanepoel previously appeared as a presenter of DeKATtv across three seasons, and across shows ranging from Top Billing to Pasella. He became known as a celebrity wedding planner after managing the wedding of former Miss SA and Miss World, Rolene Strauss.
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels, told Channel24 in a statement on Monday, "It was with shock that the kykNET team this morning learnt of the passing of Aleit Swanepoel who was a popular presenter with our viewers."
"His unbridled energy and passions touched everyone who got to know him. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues."
He leaves behind an adopted daughter, Kateline.
