A well-respected educator and rugby stalwart of Paarl, Andre Jonker, died on the morning of 13 April, following a short illness.
After his schooling at William Lloyd Primary and Paulus Joubert High School, he started his career as an economics teacher at Weltevrede Secondary School following his tertiary education, a post he held until 2009.
At the time of his death Jonker was Deputy Chief Educational Specialist Curriculum Planner in Economics, a post he held since July 2022.
Prior to this position he held the post of Curriculum Advisor in Economics FET for the Cape Winelands.
Jonker was a strong and exemplary leader, not only in education, but also in the field of sport.
In his day he played as a front ranker for the Paarl Rugby Football Union and Saru.
He joined Young Standards Rugby Football Club and later became chairman of the club for 11 years.
He was recently elected as president of the club.
The management team of Young Standards this week said the club family was saddened by Jonker’s death and expressed deepest condolences to his family.
In November 2022 Jonker was unanimously elected Young Standards’ new president.
He succeeded the late Prof George Fredericks and was very much looking forward to new challenges that lay ahead.
Jonker already joined the Standards family at a very young age playing as a junior and later as a senior. He represented the club in various teams from Boland and WPRFU.
At school Jonker already showed a lot of promise by representing the Boland school teams.
However, it was at the administrative level where he forever made his mark, at Standards.
He had already served as financial officer on Young Standards’ management during his student years, serving after three years as chairman for Young Standards for 11 years. Afterwards he decided to focus more on his career as a teacher, obtaining further qualifications in his field.
During Jonker’s term he led Standards with distinction in the unification talks with clubs in WP.
He was officially honoured for this by receiving an honorary badge.
Jonker was also very much involved in athletics.
He received a 3-star Achiever award for management of teams in Boland athletics.
Also, he received a 4-star Achiever award for organising officials and management of teams.
Jonker was also a ward leader and parishioner of Holy Trinity Anglican church, Paarl, where he was a sidesman and fundraising organiser.
He was a family man, jovial, well-loved and respected, and his sudden death came as a huge shock, not only to his family but to the entire community.
He will be fondly missed by his wife, Brigitte, children and grandchildren.
A memorial service took place yesterday (19 April) at the Holy Trinity Church.
Jonkers’ funeral will take place on Saturday 22 April at 10:00 at his home in Lustigan Village, 18 Bordeaux Street and 11:00 at Holy Trinity Church.
