Final goodbye to ward 55 councillor
“Frik was a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of guy.”
A memorial service for ward 55 DA councillor Frik van Wyk was held at Green Olive in Derdepoort on Thursday afternoon.
The service, attended by close relatives and friends, was led by Len Weyers and was live-streamed on YouTube.
Ward 55 is in the west of the Pretoria CBD. Weyers shared his fondest memories of Van Wyk, describing him as honest and “what you see is what you get”.
“There was no pretences with him. He never pretended to be anyone else but himself,” said Weyers. “He helped build bridges and resolve problems, which is why he went into politics.”
Van Wyk passed away at the age of 62 at home last week. He had become ill two weeks prior, and tested positive for Covid-19 a week before his death.
Neighbouring ward councillors and friends who knew him well said his passing came as very sudden.
“In the last voice message he shared with me he sounded so lively and cheerful still,” said friend and fellow-councillor Elma Nel.
Nel brought soup and food to Van Wyk’s home during his illness and communicated with him via WhatsApp voice notes up until his death. Van Wyk leaves behind his wife, three sons and three grandchildren.
Messages and condolences with the family, from the community he served, streamed in on Facebook: His son Reinhart wrote: “It remains strange and unreal, but every message and thought shared on Facebook brings more and more peace to my heart. We are all going to miss you! Proud of you Dadda! Thank you for everyone’s most beautiful words, with all the love and prayers… It’s a blessing.”
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