Fidler in the Hood: Benefactor Louchy does it again

Hi, gang. Last week it was show business and this week it’s all about a ‘Question on Sport’. Rugby World Cup celebrations have come and gone; Faf de Klerk has put away his Bokke ‘brukkies’ and life as we know it is back to normal.

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This Sporting Life

I met Ex-Pro’s fund-raiser par excellence Johnny Louch from Margate last year. Ex-Pro is a charity organisation that assists ex-professional sportsmen experiencing tough going in present-day South Africa. In addition to ‘This Sporting Life’, Johnny and Ex-Pro do amazing work raising millions for orphaned, underprivileged children throughout SA.

I was privileged to be invited to Ex-Pro’s annual lunch at Greyville Racecourse, Durban, recently. The event served as a fund-raiser and to collect the donated Christmas presents. Given the economic climate, KZN and the Hibiscus Coast did us proud, proving once again, that South Africans do come to the table when the call is made.

Big Mac and Wee Bobby

Before Johnny’s outstanding speech, it was a case of getting to know you, being seated at the ex-Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) table and rubbing shoulders with sporting heroes from a bygone era: Ian McIntosh, only non-South African to coach the ’Boks; Des van Jaarsveldt, ex-Bulawayo; former captain Cecil Brokensha (golfer), Vernon Wentzler, ex Addington and SA footballer; legendary Bobby Chalmers, one of SA’s footballing greats; Tommy Ballantyne, ex-Salisbury Callies – and the only player ever to score a hat-trick past legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who died recently.

Asked who I played for in the old Rhodesia, I proudly replied ‘Salisbury Callies’ and then quietly added ‘Reserves … and boozers teams.’ However, I did become Salisbury Callies FC secretary and it was my signature on the contract when Callies signed Bruce Grobbelaar, who played for Liverpool.

Proudly South African

Add Brian Petersen, Trix Truter, Kingsley Went, plus a galaxy of sporting stars from yesteryear, it really was a true-blue ‘Proudly South African’ day. Many millions was raised for the cause and in Johnny’s words “On Christmas Day underprivileged children in SA will be receiving a Christmas present and it makes me proud to be a part of all this goodwill.” It makes us all proud.

In heaven

I was seated next to Tommy Ballantyne, ex-Prince Edward, ex-St George’s College, and ex-Sunday Mail SportsFolio writer for many years. I first met him on the ‘Northern Star’ in August 1964, when I was the ship’s printer and Tommy a paying passenger and catalyst in my coming out to Africa in 1965. “Come out,” Tommy said, “you’ll love South Africa. You’ll be rich beyond your wildest dreams, a life full of adventure; you won’t regret it.” he said. That was 55 years ago.

We are still great friends, although I always greet Tommy by saying I’m going to sue him for damages, mental health and brain damage, and I’m still not a millionaire – yet. Thanks, Tommy! See you in heaven. Oh, I’m there already, it’s called the Hibiscus Coast. See you, Rob.

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