A pillar of the community passes on – Ronnie Richardson
A lover of sport, Ronnie was very active in a local football club called Pirates in the 1980s, attracting young people of all races.
Described as a pillar of the community, Ronald (Ronnie) Frank Richardson has passed on, aged 76.
He left his mark on the taxi industry, local politics and sport – most famously his contribution to the founding of the now renowned Dundee July horse racing event.
Born in Dundee to Julius James Richardson and Jane Elizabeth Richardson nee Griffiths, Ronnie grew up in a Colley Street house known colloquially as the ‘big house’ (or in isiZulu ‘eStairs KwaJane’).
This home was visited by all communities. His family was involved in both taxis and trucking. After school, Ronnie moved to Johannesburg to work at Silverton Radiators. He later returned to Dundee and re established the family taxi service, which had come to a halt due to the vehicle being no longer roadworthy.
Forced to work hard to make the business successful, Ronnie started carrying out mechanical repairs and transporting passengers from KZN to Gauteng.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Ronnie was elected chairman of the local taxi industry and negotiated with the local council to establish a formal taxi rank complete with investors and major retail outlets.
The rank was officially opened by then-Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini. ‘Touched’ by the poor conditions in which the coloured people were forced to live in, he and colleagues Hassim Cassim, Basil Lovell, Dennis Meek and others drove to Cape Town in a kombi to lobby the then House of Representatives to upgrade the suburb now known as Forestdale.
A lover of sport, Ronnie was very active in a local football club called Pirates in the 1980s, attracting young people of all races.
Ronnie would transport the team to matches at his own cost. Besides all these activities, Ronnie was also a horse lover and bred these at his Craigside farm. Together with taxi peers, he started traditional ‘triple horse racing’ up and down the gravel road at Craigside.
Winners were awarded blankets and goats or sheep and cash prices funded by Ronnie and his taxi associates.
Interest in the sport grew rapidly and Ronnie realised a bigger venue was needed. With the support of Orange Grove Dairy, Ronnie received permission from the municipality to use the land behind the airfield. This is the venue for the annual Dundee July, which attracts thousands of visitors ever year. In 2019, he was recognised by the Department of Sport for his service to the Dundee July. Concerned about growing crime (including drug abuse and women abuse), Ronnie involved himself in the Community Policing Forum (CPF), which he chaired with his usual formidable but humble approach.
Ronnie has left a legacy of generous service to the community, and his memory will surely live on.
The family appreciates all the support and love provided by the Dundee and external family, friends and associates.
Ronnie will be laid to rest on August 19 from 10am at the Majuba College hall.
