A Ladysmith High School (LHS) teacher, Jacques Pretorius, collapsed and died in the Ladysmith CBD yesterday, causing the school to close on Monday and for exams to be rearranged as the community deal with the shock of his passing.

Pretorius had what is believed to be a heart attack in the parking area outside TFS Wholesalers yesterday morning (June 21) and died despite the best efforts of paramedics, who arrived shortly afterwards.

LHS deputy principal Arne Maitland made the official announcement to parents on behalf of the school yesterday:

“It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the sudden passing of one of our educators, Mr Jacques Pretorius. Mr Pretorius was a senior Physical Science teacher and a beloved sports coach.

“The entire Ladysmith High School family mourns his loss and I ask that you keep the Pretorius family in your thoughts and prayers. We have made the decision to close the school for learners on Monday.

“The exams for all grades that would have been written on that day (Monday, June 23) will now be written on Friday, June 27,”