GEORGE NEWS - A legend in the legal fraternity countrywide, and a common face in the George courtrooms, Francois van Zyl, passed away after a long sickbed on Monday 3 June.
Van Zyl was born in Vanderbijlpark in 1951. He was the youngest of three brothers and spent his childhood years in this small Vaal Triangle town until he enlisted in the national defence force when he finished high school.
After completing his military service, he went on to pursue his law degree. He began his studies at the University of Pretoria, finishing his degree through Unisa.
In the 51 years of being in the legal fraternity, he did his articles and worked as registrar for Chief Justice Hiemstra. He was the acting state attorney of Bophuthatswana, prosecutor, control prosecutor, regional court prosecutor and magistrate before he eventually went into private practice for the last 41 years.
In his article years he was the chairperson of the Article Clerk Association of Pretoria and counted as a friend - who even attended his wedding - retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, among others.
During the apartheid era, Van Zyl experienced the dubious distinction of being followed by the security police due to his anti-apartheid stance and his assistance to Jack David Tarnish upon his release from prison in 1975. Additionally, he argued with the Department of Justice to remove the insulting non-white signs at court buildings.
He was also reprimanded by the Department of Justice when he kicked down the partitioning in court when he was the Chief Magistrate of Hendrina. This was in 1981.
"He believed in an equal and just society and it was evident in the way he lived his life and operated his legal practice," said his daughter, Kathryn van Zyl.
He was also the author of "Elsie Gondwana vs Steko Development CC and others" that changed the law regarding the execution of property.
During the years of having his private practice in George, he made every effort to contribute to the advancement of previously disadvantaged persons. Through his mentorship at his legal practice, he created opportunities for individuals who otherwise could not find employment. He considered it an honour that his colleagues in town head-hunted his trainees.
Francois van Zyl with his daughters Kathryn (Kate) and Megan.
Erica was there from the start
Since he opened his private practice in George, the one person who had been with Van Zyl every step of the way was his secretary, Erica Payle.
She was the rock of his legal practice.
"Just as much as we are mourning the loss of my father, Erica has also lost someone with whom she shared a very special bond, and I know that she meant the world to my dad," said Kathryn.
Francois van Zyl with his trusted secretary, Erica Payle, and Lettie Robberts.
He was generous
"If there was a single word to describe my dad, it was generosity. If he could give, he gave," said Kathryn. "The consistent thread that ran throughout his life was undoubtedly his generous nature. He loved to spoil those around him with good food in particular - my dad enjoyed nothing more than an afternoon in conversation with good company and a glass of wine in his hand.
"We also will always remember him as being very charitable - whether it be a lift, a hot meal or groceries, he would go out of his way to help whenever he could."
His greatest achievement was his family. He cherished his family and took every opportunity to boast about his wife Dawn, his two daughters, his son and his five grandchildren. "Dad was an adoring oupa, father and husband. His presence, his love and his generosity were always larger than life and we will miss him."
A memorial for Van Zyl will be held on Saturday 15 June at 10:00 at the Blanco Dutch Reformed Church.
Francois van Zyl (4th from the right) and his wife Dawn celebrating their daughter Megan's wedding with family.
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