Former politician, diplomat and Bellville resident Denis Worrall has died.
He was 87 when he died in the Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Pinelands last Thursday.
Worrall was, amongst numerous other things, one of the co-leaders of the Democratic Party, forerunner of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Since his death, condolences have abounded, paying tribute to his work as academic, advocate, businessman, politician, diplomat and columnist.
John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, says Worrall’s work left a lasting impact on South Africa.
“(His) legacy is his commitment to principle and his many contributions to South Africa – politically, diplomatically and in business.”
Worrall was a Senator for the Cape Province, member of Parliament for the Gardens Constituency and ambassador to the United Kingdom and Australia.
Bellville boy
Worrall was born in 1935 to father Cecil and mother Hazel.
They soon moved to Cape Town, where his father worked as a developer.
He shared a close bond with Bellville and in his autobiography The Independent Factor –My Personal Journey Through Politics and Diplomacy there are numerous references to his years in the suburb.
At the time of publication, Worrall told TygerBurger many of his achievements are rooted in growing up as an English boy in what whas then a predominantly Afrikaans-speaking suburb.
He attended Bellville Primary and Bellville High School (when it was still a dual medium school) where he was headboy.
During the interview he was very proud of being the oldest living headboy of the school.
School seemed to be a precursor of his varied career – he was a senior cadet officer, member of first-team cricket and rugby teams and was the running champion of the one-mile.
It was at school where he learnt to speak Afrikaans, which he said was a “fantastic advantage”.
The Worralls lived in 10th Avenue in Boston and later moved to Kenridge, which his father developed.
He recalled cycling from Kenridge to school in Bellville with his brothers, Terry and Neil.
He is survived by his wife, Anita, with whom he was married for over 55 years, his sons Chris, Lyndon and Dean and six grandchildren.
