Springs residents pay homage to Dr Wally Nel

Springs residents are mourning the loss of one of the town’s most loved medical doctors.
Dr Harry Walter Nel (79), affectionately known as Dr Wally, died last Thursday morning at the Netcare N17 Hospital.
His death was Covid-19 related.
“The essence of it all is that he lived his dream,” said his wife, Rina.

She remembers how Harry would often joke about working until they carry him out feet first.
Rina said Harry was about 24 years old when they arrived in Springs in the 1960s.
In December this year, Nel would have celebrated his 57th year in medical practice.

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Some of his patients are four generations of the same family.
“From that moment, he gave his life to his work. He was really just an amazing person and he was loved by the people around him. He really loved his family,” she said.

The local doctor made headlines in the 2000s when he effectively treated brain-damaged patients with sleeping pills, some of whom awoke from comas.
He went on to work with hundreds of brain-damaged patients and their families.
“His health deteriorated over time but he still insisted on working,” added Rina.

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The family thanked Dr Johan van der Merwe and his team at the Netcare N17 Hospital for providing medical attention with great care.
Dr Wally is survived by his wife and three children, Henry, Ilze and Wally.

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