Former politician, diplomat and Bellville resident Denis Worrall has died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was 87 when he died in the Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Pinelands last Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worrall was, amongst numerous other things, one of the co-leaders of the Democratic Party, forerunner of the Democratic Alliance (DA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since his death, condolences have abounded, paying tribute to his work as academic, advocate, businessman, politician, diplomat and columnist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, says Worrall\u2019s work left a lasting impact on South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c(His) legacy is his commitment to principle and his many contributions to South Africa \u2013 politically, diplomatically and in business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worrall was a Senator for the Cape Province, member of Parliament for the Gardens Constituency and ambassador to the United Kingdom and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worrall was born in 1935 to father Cecil and mother Hazel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They soon moved to Cape Town, where his father worked as a developer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shared a close bond with Bellville and in his autobiography The Independent Factor \u2013<\/span>M<\/em>y Personal Journey Through Politics and Diplomacy<\/em> there are numerous references to his years in the suburb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time of publication, Worrall told TygerBurge<\/em>r many of his achievements are rooted in growing up as an English boy in what whas then a predominantly Afrikaans-speaking suburb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He attended Bellville Primary and Bellville High School (when it was still a dual medium school) where he was headboy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During the interview he was very proud of being the oldest living headboy of the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n School seemed to be a precursor of his varied career \u2013 he was a senior cadet officer, member of first-team cricket and rugby teams and was the running champion of the one-mile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was at school where he learnt to speak Afrikaans, which he said was a \u201cfantastic advantage\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Worralls lived in 10th Avenue in Boston and later moved to Kenridge, which his father developed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He recalled cycling from Kenridge to school in Bellville with his brothers, Terry and Neil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former politician, diplomat and Bellville resident Denis Worrall has 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