Former town alderman and freeman dies
Jan van der Westhuizen passed away at 91.
Alderman, Freeman and former councillor of Randfontein, Jan van der Westhuizen, passed away at the age of 91, on Sunday, 24 July.
Jan was born in De Rust, in the Western Cape on 19 October, 1924. His family moved to Randfontein when he was 10 years old.
He became a councillor in Randfontein and served the community for 28 years. He was also the chairman of the Randfontein Management Committee for nine years, councillor on the Rand Water Board for 21 years and treasurer of the National Party Divisional Committee for 33 years.
The Randfontein that existed while Jan served as councillor is a far cry from what Randfontein is today. During his tenure, he saw the development of Toekomsrus, Culemborg Park, Helikon Park, Greenhills Extensions 3 and 5, and Eikepark. He was also around for the building of the 10th Street–Kenneth Road bridge, and the rebuilding of the Sixth Street bridge. In addition, he saw the Connie Mulder Centre and the Friendship Haven being built.
Jan was not only involved in politics – sport, the arts and the church took up much of his time. He served as the president of the Randfontein Rugby Club for 13 years and also acted as their treasurer for many years. He didn’t stop at rugby – he was also the treasurer of the Homelake Tennis Club. As for the arts, Jan was a member of the Randfontein Dramatic Society and acted in a number of their plays. In the church environment, he sang in the NG Kerk Randfontein’s choir and served on the church boards of various NG churches in Randfontein. He was treasurer at the Randfontein-Noord NG Kerk for 13 years, and also served as the secretary of the poverty relief commission of the Randfontein NG Kerk.
Jan may have passed, but his legacy and works in the town will not be forgotten, especially by those whose lives he touched. The Herald offers its condolences to his family and friends.
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