Chantelle was very special, she was a big part of my life, since she was 19 years old, when she walked into the office in London for job interview, then later moving back to Joburg to have her baby, who she doted on since that moment he came into the world, and starting again at work, 3 months after Tristan was born, the 10th of January … If I remember correctly.

Later, she moved one last time with her family and started a life in Cape Town, work carried on as always through all these different stages of her life, she was there, the constant beating heart of Blade. 

I cannot imagine working without this special soul, Blade is changed forever and my heart is broken to know that I will never get a message asking how “piet” is. My husband is British and called Peter and Chantelle always called him Piet!

She was my rock, always there, always at the end of the phone, I am sure it drove Gareth crazy that she worked so much, but she loved her work and everyone who worked with her loved her. 

She was dedicated, hard working, passionate about what she did and undecided, boy, she drove me mad with calls that she knew exactly the answer but wanted help deciding. Chantelle would worry over minor details and was a perfectionist. 

I remember, working on a Saturday and was kicked off, I called software support and was told… someone else is on! I replied… 
It is Saturday 7am, NO ONE IS AT WORK, do not be …… and before I could say …. “Daft”... I thought… CHANTELLE!  
Yes… it was! She was always sneaking on, working out of hours…

In London, she sat next to me at the back of the office. At my wedding, I remember laughing with Chantelle on the bus afterwards. We used to have such fun at Christmas in London decorating the tree and spent many happy Christmas parties together, I have a video of one of the first parties, a happy night in her life, dancing the night away, so much happiness and laughter.

The last time she came to Durban, to stay with my family was a few years back, the standing joke was the “queen” was arriving at the house as we got everything ready for her. Chantelle and I had similar anxiety about leaving home, and so I didn’t push another trip and today,  I so wish I had, I never knew that it would be the last time that we would ever see her. 

Chantelle had the most gentle caring and kind nature and anyone who she spoke to felt her kindness and felt that she really cared, that is hard to find in recruitment, but if you go onto Google Business and read reviews you can read how much she touched people’s lives, she was always so excited when she got a new review, here is some of the personal comment left about her on google:

** They found me a good job when I needed it the most, Thank you Chantelle Rosa.

** Chantelle at Blade helped me to get an interview with the employer very swiftly and I started working for the company within a very short time after. Communication was absolutely great with Chantelle and she gave me all the information I needed.

** Chantelle Rosa was absolutely excellent in finding me a role that suited my skills. She kept me informed of all the relevant details, was very prompt and responsive. 

** Brilliant to deal with, I really cannot recommend Chantelle and Blade enough!

** Chantelle Rose does a good job and she is always very competent. I have been in touch with other recruitment agencies and they have always disappointed me. 

** Blade recruitment is a great agency to work for! :) As a contractor, Chantelle and Michelle are and have been very helpful from offering amazing temporary assessments with various prestigious clients to finding you the most suitable permanent role.

** Chantelle is very helpful and arranged a position for me at 4PM, starting the following day. A+++

** Chantelle was very kind and professional with me and my experience working for Blade was really impressive and satisfactory.

** Nice and professional people, very communicative. I was in contact with Chantelle and Gareth.

** They assisted me from beginning to end. Very good job offer. I recommend using this company. Thank you Chantelle.

** Chantelle is amazing and helped me land a perfect position with a wonderful company. I couldn’t be more thankful.

** Chantelle was so helpful and found me a great job. Thank you!

The most bizarre thing is I never noticed a facebook message from Chantelle written over a year ago and within the message it thanked us for always being there for her and that she counted us as family, such a strange message that I never saw before now.

Chantelle was never an emotional person, she was happy, she was funny, she made jokes but she did not leave emotional messages, she was mostly a "work message" girl, and so, I feel it was an intentional message meant for right now, when she left without a goodbye, a message to give peace and send love. 

Her last day at work was such a happy one, a day of celebration, the world aligned, she made a placement on that last day, she was elated and there was lots of funny jokes of the celebrations as the day came to a close. Everyone shared in her joy and her last message to me was:

“I am so happy. I love moments like these.”

So today. I feel sure that was a message from this special person who left so suddenly.

Today too, she is so happy and loving every moment, the celebration of her life.

She is with you now, today and always.

To Chantelle, ditto!!

Right back at you… Thank you for always being there, from Piet & I, you were our person, thank you for leaving these last special, random messages, because in this time of great sadness, they brought great comfort.

We will never forget you.