Michael Charles Walters, former MPP in the Western Cape Parliament, died on Monday 30 December in Mediclinic Hermanus at age 85. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike, as he was fondly known, was a much-loved resident of Vo\u00eblklip, where he settled in the former family holiday home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from his stints in politics and local government, he was well-known for groundbreaking work as an entomologist in agricultural research and transformation, and a leading contribution to South African athletics. Walters also served as Mayco member in the Overstrand Municipality. At the time of his sudden illness he was still assisting in coordinating an advisory network for the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was born the second-eldest of four in Wynberg, Cape Town on 16 May 1939, shortly before the Second World War. At age 16 he matriculated with honours from Lansdowne High School and was awarded a scholarship to study BSc Agric at the University of Stellenbosch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He and a fellow Matie student made headline news when they went missing for days while navigating the Berg River in canoes they\u2019d built from scratch, a first, and helped plant the seed for the first Berg Marathon in 1962.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He went on to achieve a MSc Agric cum laude, specialising in entomology. His stellar career included postings in the erstwhile Department of Agriculture as Assistant Director in the Highveld and Director of the Plant Protection Institute of the Agricultural Research Council. He also did extensive research abroad and led a number of multi-disciplinary task teams successfully dealing with major crises in South African agriculture. He also had a lifelong passion for Land Reform, particularly in the Eastern Cape. Walters was also an esteemed middle- and long-distance athlete and captained the University of Stellenbosch and Western Province Athletics team. He also served as chair of the Maties Athletics Club and was manager of the first non-racial representative Springbok Cross Country team, chair of WP Athletics, vice-president of SA Athletics and chair of South African Cross Country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walters was loved by many and known as a great conversationalist and mentor, but also someone who never hesitated to kick in his heels if he believed in a principal or solution. He loved hiking in Fernkloof Nature Reserve and the Kleinrivier Mountains and was a familiar sight and sound (thanks to his long walking stick!) in Vo\u00eblklip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a loving father and grandfather he will be missed and fondly remembered by wife Yvonne, daughter Natasha, sons Matthys, Thomas and Robert, and his 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later stage. His family plans to scatter his ashes in Fernkloof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael Charles Walters<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16\/05\/1939 \u2013 30\/12\/2024<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Michael Charles Walters, former MPP in the Western Cape Parliament, died on Monday 30 December in Mediclinic Hermanus at age 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