Mnatsi Marau died from cancer last year

FRIENDS and family are fundraising for a bench to honour an Archway man who died from cancer at just 36.

Mnatsi Marau, known affectionately to his friends as Mutz, passed away last September and, one year on, his friends hope to install the tribute by the reservoir in Dartmouth Park.

“We were walking to Archway centre together, which would usually take me about three minutes, but, going with him it took forever because he knew someone in every shop we passed,” said Mutsa Marau, Mr Marau’s older sister.

“Since we both became adults, he became my younger-older-brother. He always made sure I was fed, he was a stupidly good cook. He was kind of like a cheerleader.

“When we were younger, I used to be annoyed that his nickname was ‘Mutz’ because that’s short for my name, but he told me he took it because he thought I was so cool and he wanted to have my name. I though, ‘fine, I won’t be upset any more’.”

Mr Marau lived off Junction road, and his bench will be fittingly inscribed with “local legend who welcomed all and was loved by all”.

Alex Roots met Mr Marau in the Junction pub one evening and the two became instant friends.

“He was just someone that would welcome everyone to his house, whether it was for a party, a cup of tea, and it still is a place where people congregate. Being able to sit at the bench in his presence is to commemorate that,” said Ms Roots.

“His laugh was just electric and infectious. A hug from him, an invite round – he was just so warm and loving to everyone. The way that he made people feel, the safe space he gave to people to be completely themselves and make them feel loved, is something we should all aspire to do.”

Danielle Tonnar met Mr Marau when they were both three years old in nursery.

“From where we positioned the bench, you can see the roof of his house, and we spent a lot of time up there as kids and young adults,” she said.

Ms Tonnar remembered Mr Marau as a “majestic” and selfless person.

“When he was sick, he was just so concerned that everyone was concerned about him. That’s all he was worried about.

“He never let on that he needed much. He was always checking on my kids. If I said ‘how are you?’ he’d always say ‘don’t worry about me, how are you’.”

Louis Doran met Mr Marau when he had just moved to Archway in primary school.

“I was walking down the street having moved from Stoke Newington, and I didn’t know anyone. There were a load of kids playing on our little dead-end street off Junction Road.

“They were playing football and I was walking past thinking ‘I would love to play,’ and this tall skinny kid with 80s adult glasses on came up to me and invited me to play.

“He introduced me to everyone on the street, and that was pretty much it. Every day I was out playing football with him, playing computer games and Nintendo, nicking little bits of good East African food his mum used to cook for us.”

If you woud like to help the collection for Mutz’s bench go to: www.gofundme.com/f/raise-funds-for-a-bench-in-honour-of-mutz