Letterscolumn

His passing was met with silence

SIR – On October 10 2012 a great rugby administrator in Kimberley passed away suddenly.

Daniel Benjamin van der Merwe was known throughout the Northern Cape Province for the sterling work he had done whilst he was employed at the GW Rugby Union as Manager of Rugby Development and Amateur Rugby (1994-2004).

For the past week I have scanned the DFA and the Volksblad daily, hoping to find some form of public recognition from the GWRU for what Danie had done for rugby in our Province. Their silence was deafening! Could it be that none of the administrators, past and present, at the GWRU could match his passion for rugby, his impeccable administrative skills and his vision for developing rugby in disadvantaged communities?

Danie was a man of integrity, one who walked a straight road, never deviating from it. His great love for rugby and the need to promote it has left the Black rugby fraternity of the AR Abass Stadium with a lasting legacy. Through his vision and untiring efforts, the Baby Richards Hall was erected at the stadium.

He, together with educators at our local Primary schools, initiated the AR Abass Sevens Competition, played annually from February to March and August to September. This popular project, which is well supported by our schools, keeps approximately 700 youngsters from the streets on weekends.

Indeed, a landscape project which needs to be kept alive.

The Black rugby community of the AR Abass stadium deeply mourn his passing. We salute his memory. In the words of an Afrikaans poet, it is apt to say: “Stil, broers, hier kom ‘n man verby!” AUBREY EVERSON

Kimberley