The City Times invites local families who have lost a loved one (who also lived in Benoni) to Covid-19 to submit a photograph of their loved one and a short tribute, telling our readers about them (in no more than 100 words).
Lakefield general practioner Dr Willem Andries “Dries” Botha lost the battle against Covid-19 on January 22. Botha went into private practice with Dr John Field 30 years ago and together they grew the practice very successfully, first opening consulting rooms in Bedford Avenue and later moving to the current practice in Shongweni Street, Lakefield. The well-loved GP enjoyed the outdoors, taking part in golf, fishing and hunting excursions, although never actually firing a rifle. Instead, Botha always opted to be the camp chef, as he had a passion for cooking.
Email your submission to benonicitytimes@caxton.co.za
Brandon Schunke, the principal of Parkrand Primary School for almost two decades, died on January 1. The 50-year-old grew up in the vicinity of Benoni and attended Benoni High School. The educator started his career at Benoni High School and joined Parkrand Primary in 1997. “It’s an enormous loss. He was the best husband and father in the world and will be dearly missed. My husband always put his family first. He was friendly, caring and always assisted those in need. Brandon was a strong leader and an excellent principal who loved God. He also had a good sense of humour,” said his wife, Maryke.
Con Roux, a formidable civil engineer who lived in and loved Benoni from the time he moved here in 1956, died at the age of 97 on July 31, 2020. According to one of his five sons, Con Roux Jnr his father’s interest in all things mechanical and engineering developed in his formative years, and he used to spend hours constructing bridges, cranes, excavators and the like. “In 1956, our parents moved to Benoni, my dad taking charge of all roads outside metropolitan areas on the Witwatersrand,” he said. “He had a tremendous love for his home, vegetable garden, roses and, of course, and his tennis court.”
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