Randfontein’s once strongest man loses battle with Covid-19
With headlines such as 'Kragtig', 'Strong and determined', 'Randfonteiner pak kragrekord aan' and 'Strongest man in Africa', Johan was a powerhouse of a man.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/Johan1_07137-e1631174500221-780x470.jpg)
A former African Strongman titleholder and Randfontein resident Johan Coetzee passed away at aged 59.
According to one of his sisters, Elize Wessels, Coetzee lost his three-week long battle with Covid-19 on Saturday July 24.
Johan made a name for himself in the 1990s as Strongman, featuring in the Herald and various other publications on many occasions.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/3APRIL19922_63915-e1631174364595.jpg)
With headlines such as ‘Kragtig’, ‘Strong and determined’, ‘Randfonteiner pak kragrekord aan’ and ‘Strongest man in Africa’, Johan was a powerhouse of a man of 1,88 metres tall and weighing in at more than 130kg during his prime.
A memorial service will be held for Johan at the Randfontein Oval Track once his wife Marianne, who is currently at home, fully recovers from Covid-19.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/15DES1995_45378.jpg)
He is survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Joanita Coetzee Bothma and five grandchildren Marjoanette, Sahandri, Corne, Luhan en Zurica. Johan’s other daughter Sanel, better known as Randfontein’s Sunshine Child passed away at a young age from bone marrow cancer.
Read next week’s Herald for a more in-depth story.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/Johan4_00175.jpg)
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/31MRT2000_15347.jpg)
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/Johan7_51004-e1631174393413.jpg)
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/Johan3_89444-e1631174434201.jpg)
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/10APRIL1992_66874-e1631174453892.jpg)
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/13DES19912_30609-e1631174476227.jpg)