Motor neuron disease claims top pharmacist
He not only served his community but also his profession
JOHAN Bothma (64), a well known pharmacist from Kempton Park, died on Sunday morning at The Life Glynnwood in Benoni after a year-long battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
His daughter, Rianda Ludik, said he was diagnosed with the disease about a year ago.
Bothma, who would have turned 65 on August 9, was managing director of Trust Pharmacy from 1976 to 2005, after which he joined the Community Pharmacist Sector of the PSSA (CPS) as executive director.
Ludik said her father loved his job and served on numerous medical boards and associations.
He was a board member of PSSA (Southern Gauteng branch) and chairman of SAACP’s Southern Gauteng branch from 1994 to 1995.
Bothma was also a member of the Gauteng Forum for Pharmacists, member of Kempton Park Health Forum, honorary secretary of SAACP National from 1993 to 1994 and vice-president of SAACP National from 1995 to 1997.
He served as president of SAACP from 1997 to 2000 and was chairman of CPS of PSSA Southern Gauteng from 2001to 2003. He also established the CPS Waste Management Network in 2008.
Bothma was also very involved in his community, acting as a board member of the Rapportryers and being vice-chairman of the governing body of Hoërskool Birchleigh. He was a member of Centurion Cycling Club and competed in the Argus Cycle Race 10 times.
Awards he received in his career as pharmacist included finalist in the Pharmacist of the Year Competition (1991), awarded the JB Bloom Award in 1998 for meritorious service to the SAACP Southern Gauteng Branch Committee and honorary life membership of CPS Southern Gauteng branch in 1999.
He also received the Hymie Barnett Award for best debate during the CPS/PSSA conference in 2000, the Sam Moss Memorial Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the profession in 2003 and was a honorary life membership of CPS National since 2006.
He opened a health store with his wife Daleen in 2011 at the same site where Trust Pharmacy used to be.
Ludik said Bothma left footprints wherever he went. “He was the most wonderful person on earth with one of the smallest hearts one would ever find.”
He leaves behind his wife Daleen, two daughters, one son, five grandchildren, his mother, brother and two sisters and many friends.
Bothma’s memorial service will be held on Thursday at 10am at AGS Môrester.
