WINDHOEK – The late Piet du Plooy will be well remembered in life as an astute sports administrator, who has served his native land with distinction on all levels be it on the sports field, off the field or on the green table solving sport-related problems.
As it stands, the Namibian sports fraternity has been dealt a massive blow and is still reeling in shock following the death of Du Plooy, who died of a heart attack last Saturday at the age of 49.
The “Smiling Assassin”, as the gangling Du Plooy was affectionately known among his vast circle of friends, was admitted to hospital last week Thursday following a heart attack and although he appeared to have recovered exceptionally well the following day (Friday), he eventually succumbed to the fatal heart attack and was pronounced dead on Saturday.
Upon completion of his academic aspirations at the Stellenbosch University, Du Plooy relocated to France where he played club rugby for a few years before returning to his native land.
A native from the south, Du Plooy grew up in Mariental where he completed his primary and secondary schooling.
His rugby career started brightly at the famous Stellenbosch University in Sommerset Wes, near Cape Town. Du Plooy was made captain of the popular varsity’s rugby outfit (Matties) with great aplomb and remains the longest serving captain in history of the Matties.
The likeable beanpole lock, skippered the Namibian Senior Rugby Fifteen in five official tests between 1992 and 1994. However, as fate would dictate, he prematurely parted ways with the oval ball game while still at the pinnacle of his flourishing rugby-playing career after he was diagnosed with the deadly cancer.
He surprisingly beat the odds and won the battle against the disease through bone-marrow transplants. After successfully completing his cancer treatment, the humorous Du Plooy was back in the fold again in his position as the first director of the now defunct Namibia National Sports Council (NNSC), he headed until the new Namibia Sports comission in 2003.
With the new sports Act, the national sports council gave way for the newly introduced National Sports Commission (NSC), where Du Plooy, was appointed one of the inaugural commissioners. Among his notable contributions is the drafting and development of various sports policies.
Du Plooy was at the time of his untimely passing, the chairperson of the five-member panel of judges for the prestigious annual NSC Sports
Awards, serving alongside Carlos Kambaekwa, Lesley Tjiueza, Talitha Jario and Patrick Haingura.
He was the Managing Director of giant local traveling agency Trip Travel, a company that has played a pivotal role in the travelling arrangements of local numerous national sport teams.
Long-serving Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Dr Vetumbuavi Veii, says Namibia has lost a sports giant, a person who dedicated his entire life and time to serve the interest of others.
“Soon after the country’s Independence in 1990 and with the apartheid issue still a bit raw, Piet was one of those very few white dudes who availed themselves to work hand in glove with the new government for the betterment of fellow citizens.
“I worked closely with him and the late Quinton Steele-Botes and Calle Schaeffer, who is still alive. Those guys were very instrumental in drafting various sports policies. It’s a massive loss for Namibia as a country,” says the long-serving sport director.
Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) President, Bradley Basson, was equally at a loss for words upon learning that Du Plooy has taken a bow from the game of life.
“Piet always has the best interests of Namibian rugby at heart and we will remember him as an outstanding individual who made a huge contribution to domestic rugby on and off the field.”
One of the NSC Awards judges, Lesley Tjiueza also expressed his shock and said: “Piet was an amazing man. I have worked with Piet for three straight years on the judges panel of the Namibia Sport awards and I was blown away by his honesty and the knowledge. Prudent, selfless and simply honest are some of the adjectives that one can use to describe the late Piet. On the Friday, 26 October my wife was sitting next to Piet’s wife and he next to me. We were having a laugh and holding our breaths and looking at the reaction of the winners in the different categories of the awards. He was a true Namibian who spoke his mind and I’m honoured to have served my country with such a great man. Go well my friend, your humour and candor will never be forgotten,” said a grieving Tjiueza.
Hordes of sports administrators are all in unison that Namibia has not only lost a sports icon but one of the genuine pioneers of Namibian sports and a truly dedicated son of the soil.
Du Plooy leaves behind his gorgeous spouse IIsje and 19-year-old son, AJ. He will be laid to rest tomorrow morning at the Pionierspark Cemetery, south of Windhoek. Burial service starts at 10h00 at the Windhoek High School (WHS) Hall.
By Carlos “CK”
Kambaekwa