Long-time Highbury resident and chair of civic organisation Highbury Foundation, John van de Rheede, passed away in the early hours of Friday 13 October.
Winston Middleton, secretary of the foundation, said Van de Rheede was a community stalwart. “John is survived by his wife, Sandra, two daughters, Jade and Nicole, and a grandson.”
Van de Rheede moved to Highbury in 1986, soon after getting married. Born in Bridgetown in 1954, he grew up in the Athlone area. He completed his B Com degree, started at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), through Unisa. After obtaining a teacher’s diploma at UWC, he taught at Bridgetown, and later Belhar high schools.
He resigned from teaching to join the provincial department for economic development as deputy-director.
“After retirement in 2014, he facilitated training for the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UWC with Charleen Duncan,” Middleton said.
Middleton (who consulted with Sandra) said Van de Rheede’s community involvement in Kuils River goes back to more than 30 years when a fire at the informal settlement alongside the railway line left around 300 families homeless.
“John and others, under the auspices of the Kuils River Residents Association (KIV), persuaded the then Kuils River Municipality to accommodate the families at the Sarepta Civic Hall. They also convinced the provincial government and municipality to allow affected persons to build shelter in Kalkfontein.”
Van de Rheede assisted in funding for a brick-making project in Kalkfontein, as well as the establishment of educare centres, in Kalkfontein, on Excelsior Park in Highbury, and in Wesbank, he said.
Van de Rheede, then chair of the Kuils River branch of the ANC, was elected proportional councillor after the first local government election post-1994.
“He initiated the first neighbourhood watch in Highbury and was actively involved in patrols.”
Van de Rheede was elected chair of Highbury Foundation upon establishment in 2009.
“With the establishment of Highbury Park and Riverside Gardens, John led several delegations to the developers and provincial government about their building plans. Significant changes were eventually made. Van de Rheede also initiated a public-private partnership for the Stellendale Housing project.
“John was keenly aware of the difficulty community organisations experienced raising funds. Under the KIV, an annual community carnival was held. Much needed funds were raised and distributed to several local schools and community-based organisations.”
He was also involved at the local Anglican church in various facets. “One is on the maintenance committee that completed the building of the Wall of Remembrance last year where his ashes will be interred,“ Middleton said.
Reaction
Yolanda Sheldon: “The neighbourhood is in shock. He was our go-to-person, friend of all, community champion and activist for years, a servant leader at church and in the community”.
Jannie Frantz: “John was deeply committed to the community, a leader of many local community programmes, trustworthy, great sense of humour”.
Fanie Sonn: “He was a true community-spirited icon”.
Godfrey Ahrendse: “John was a natural leader. He was keenly interested in the wellbeing of our community. He had a quiet demeanour, exercised patience and allowed for the expression of diverse views at meetings before stamping his authority. John was so consumed in local community development that he might have neglected his health.”
Charles Robertson: “John was more interested in how he can help everyone else than in himself. A true friend.”
Randall Carollisen: “John was a moral giant; trusted friend; a person who lived out his empathy. His unwavering sense of justice anchored our tough negotiations during the local government transition. He never expected any reward or favours for his efforts.”
Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape: “I am devasted by his death. He was my mentor, friend, compass and comrade. He never forgot his roots. He lived a purposeful life and gave selflessly to the community and his family. He had a big heart and big smile.”
The memorial service is on Thursday 19 October at 19:00, and the funeral service on Saturday 21 October at 12:00 at the Anglican Church of St George the Martyr in Sarepta.
