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Devenish, G --- "In memoriam Professor Francois a de Villiers (13/4/1942-28/6/2014)" (Vol 2) [2015] SPECJU 8

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IN MEMORIAM

 Professor FRANҪOIS A DE VILLIERS (13/4/1942-28/6/2014)

Prof Franҫois A de Villiers had a distinguished career as a university teacher, researcher and administrator. He commenced his lecturing career in 1966 at the University of Fort Hare, where he founded the Speculum Juris law journal and got it accredited as a SAPSE scientific publication which has earned global reputation. For this we owe him a debt of gratitude.  He chose to work at what has become known today as historically disadvantaged universities among African students, who he cared for and taught with dedication, passion and manifest empathy. His life was spent teaching disadvantaged people.   For almost five decades  he taught at the Universities of Fort Hare, Zululand, Bophuthatswana (now North West) and the University of the Western Cape. He was a soft-spoken man who deliberated and thought carefully before he acted.

As a university teacher and scholar he travelled widely, having obtained his doctorate from the Catholic University of Louvain, after graduating at Potchefstroom University with a BCom (cum laude) and LLB (cum laude).  He delivered innumerable papers at conferences all over the world. He read widely and was interested in politics, music, theology and many aspects of law. He was indeed a man for all seasons.

Franҫois de Villiers occupied the highest position in university management, as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bophuthatswana (now part of the University of the North West) during the period 1986-1987.  This was a difficult position at a time when there were many problems and tensions in universities. Although it was during this period that his considerable and exemplary leadership skills were tested to the limit, he rose to the occasion, placing his trust in God. As a university administrator he was a tireless and meticulous worker. As a jurist and legal scholar he had a profound sense of justice and fairness.

Franҫois was an acknowledged expert in the fields of African Customary Law and Comparative Law. His expertise was not only academic, since his opinion was sought by judges and other legal practitioners. His teaching ability and expertise were sought by many universities in this regard, such as Western Cape, University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

Franҫois de Villiers had profound love for this country and its entire people and in his activities sought reconciliation between people. He was motivated by a deep faith and Christian conviction. He was a very faithful member of his church, where he courageously promoted reform and reconciliation. He lived his life in accordance with the teachings and example of Christ. In this regard, he set an example to all. He took seriously the words of Christ; namely, ‘In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me’ Mathew 25 verse 40.

He was an exemplary husband and father. He and Adri epitomised the great qualities of Afrikaners, a sincere Godliness and compassion, generosity and hospitality.  Their home abounded in hospitality, love and compassion for all who visited and stayed with them. He educated his children and imbued them with the great values that he believed in, such as Christian compassion and integrity.  He is survived by his wife Adri, two daughters, Annemarie and Adrienne as well as two sons, Christo and Gerrit-Jan.  Franҫois and Adri have been blessed with six grandchildren.

His passing has robbed the South African legal academy and the country at large of one of its most senior and respectable members – a great legal luminary of impeccable integrity, humility  and conviction.

May his soul rest in peace, perfect peace.

 

Editor’s note:

The Speculum Juris Managing Editor is grateful for the initial draft of this tribute by UKZN Emeritus Professor George Devenish.