By Jaidyn Kennedy
Nathaniel Mwanza’s life began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2001; it ended in Wyndham Vale on the evening of Wednesday, February 19, where he was allegedly stabbed to death.
The Werribee model, who was known as Natan to those closest to him, was described as a kind, gentle soul and a dutiful son.
The second of six siblings, he made his journey to Australia aged seven in 2008 with two sisters, living with family members until their parents joined them in 2013.
Sister Naomi – a year older than Natan – had been with him ever since. She was at home getting her son ready for bed when the news of his death broke.
“My husband came into the room, came and took my phone and then I didn’t know what was happening,” Naomi said.
“He told me not to touch my phone, and then I saw my mum calling me, but I didn’t want to answer it.
“So I asked him what’s going on and he told me that something happened.”
What she would eventually discover is that her brother had been allegedly stabbed near Haines Drive. about 8pm.
According to Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, Natan, who was not known to police, was on a bus travelling south on Haines Drive when he was confronted by two individuals.
Police allege a fight broke out down the aisle of the bus and that Natan was followed from the bus by the two people.
Police allege that Natan was stabbed during a fight on a nature strip on Haines Drive near the intersection of Vaughn Chase. He died from the stab wounds at the scene.
On Friday, February 21, a 22-year-old man from Ascot and a 17-year-old boy were charged with murder.
Naomi said the ordeal had left his five surviving siblings, parents and extended family devastated.
“It’s hard, it’s honestly hard, I would never wish on anyone,” she said.
“Whenever he walked in the room, literally just by looking at him you would start laughing at him, that’s the type of person he is.
“He was just a different kind of person – he put a smile on everyone’s face.”
Victoria Congolese Community chairman and family friend Doghy Bongwa said Natan’s father, Samuel, called him and let him know what happened.
He said Natan’s death had devastated the Congolese community.
“[Natan] was very gentle, he was a good friend of his dad – in his family, in the community, everybody was speaking highly of him,” Doghy said.
“I don’t know how to express it, our hearts are bleeding.”
Doghy said many are now living in fear of violence in Melbourne, the very thing they came to Australia to avoid.
“We thought that we found refuge, now we are being killed,” he said.
“Really my people are saying what should we do? Where should we go again?”
Natan’s modelling agency, Priscillia, extended its condolences to his family.
“We are devastated to hear about the loss of Natan, who was an incredibly kind and gentle person,” the spokesperson said.
In the aftermath of Natan’s death, a fraudulent GoFundMe fundraiser was started, with the person behind it posting as his dad.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said the organisation is investigating the fraudulent fundraiser.
Naomi has since started GoFundMe fundraiser to help her family cover the funeral and legal expenses.
To donate: www.gofundme.com/f/5zpzbb-nathan-mwanza
