A pillar of South African cycling, Hendrik Wagener (69), passed away of heart complications in hospital on Monday July 15, just one day after he had concluded the organisation and execution of the 2024 Jock Cycle Tour in Sabie.
Oom Hendrik was a doyen and servant of road cycling in South Africa for 28 years.
He was not a resident of the Lowveld, but was highly respected in the local cycling fraternity for his professionalism and friendliness. He lived in Villiers at the time of his death.
For the past 14 years, Oom Hendrik has owned and run H&A Toere, a cycling tour operator and cycling event organiser, planning and running one- and multi-day races across South Africa. These include the well-known local races, the Jock Cycle Classic and Panorama Cycle Tour.
He was also involved in the planning and running of the now defunct Rapport Tour. He was a qualified commissaire (cycling referee) and managed various South African cycling teams in international competitions.
Oom Hendrik was a chairperson of Southern Free State Cycling, a road director on Cycling SA’s board and a vice president of Cycling SA.
He was born in Bloemfontein on March 20, 1955, and attended Laerskool and Hoërskool Henneman. Oom Hendrik attended the University of the Orange Free State and earned a diploma in education.
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But teaching was not for Oom Hendrik. “He taught for two days and then joined the police force in 1977. He served at the Vrede Police Station in the stock theft unit before retiring and starting his own business,” said his son-in-law, Phillip Els.
A close friend, Bart Harmse, paid tribute to Oom Hendrik. “I met Hendrik in the early 1990s. At that stage he was chairman of Free State Cycling. We became close friends. He was dedicated to the sport and became the organiser of many one-day events and multi-day tours. He was loved and respected by cyclists and officials. He was a real gentleman and did everything with great passion. I will miss you very much, Ou Grote.”
Another friend and well-known role player in Lowveld cycling, Gavin Cocks, said: “A true friend of the cycling community has fallen. Oom Hendrik has played an impressive role in the cycling fraternity, not only in the Lowveld region, but in Mpumalanga and South African cycling.
“So seldom would you find a man with such a heart of gold. He lived for cycling. He was always keen to put bums in the saddle. Hendrik, I would just to thank you. Firstly, from my perspective during some of the darker days of our lives, you were always there for us.
“And an even bigger thank you from the hundreds of cyclists whom you helped and supported, organising races and tours in the Lowveld for many years.
“Condolences to Dinie and the rest of the family. May you rest in peace.”
Oom Hendrik is survived by his wife, Dinie, daughter Elize, grandchildren Diané and Juandré, and son-in-law, Phillip.
A memorial service will be held at the NG Kerk in Cornelia in the Free State at 11:00 on Saturday July 20.
