GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Kosie Welman, an icon on the fields of education, sport religion and the struggle for freedom in South Africa, died on Wednesday, 20 February.
His death leaves a huge void in the community of Graaff-Reinet. He leaves behind a legacy that will not easily be equalled in Graaff-Reinet.
Kosie Welman was born on 18 September 1948 in Graaff-Reinet where he grew up. He received his primary education at Lingcom Primary School from where he proceeded to the Spandau High School where he matriculated. Kosie then furthered his education at the University of the Western Cape where he graduated with a BA degree.
He then took up a teaching post at the Spandau High School in 1971 where he progressed through the ranks of Senior Educator, Head of Department, and Deputy Principal and ultimately he became the principal of the school.
Kosie Welman followed up legends like the late dr. W. Bergins, Fred Hufkie, and JP Duminny and contributed hugely to developing Spandau into a leading education institution.
He will be remembered as a strict disciplinarian, a master in the field on teaching Afrikaans as a first language as well as promoting a culture of learning and teaching at the school.
His passion for sport, especially rugby and cricket, rubbed off on his staff and learners and contributed towards Spandau being one of the leading sporting schools.
Kosie Welman was a firm believer in the ethos of non-racialism and played a major role in the eradication of racism in sport as well as the dismantling of the system of Apartheid in the country. He played leading roles in the South African Council of Sport which had a policy of “No Normal Sport in an Abnormal Society” (SACOS).
On the educational front he led the first revolutionary teachers organization in Graaff-Reinet, called the Graaff-Reinet Professional Teachers Organization (GRAPTO).
He was constantly victimized and pursued by the then Security Police for his principled and outspoken views against Apartheid and discrimination - at one stage he was arrested together with a number of teachers for his participation in the historic march against the tri-cameral education system in the country.
Kosie Welman will be remembered as a rugby legend throughout the country. He made his mark on the rugby field at UWC where he kicked the university team to victory on many occasions.
He was at one stage approached to represent the South African Rugby Federation to be taken up into a touring team to Europe as fly half. Kosie refused this invitation because of his principled stance against normal sport.
Back in Graaff-Reinet he joined the Swallows Rugby Club where he played together with his later brother Mervin and other legends like Arrie Koeberg, Austin van Heerden and Isaac Safers. He represented Central Karoo Rugby Union in the then SA Cup Competition and after retirement from the game he became a rugby coach, national referee and administrator of format.
He was awarded honorary Springbok Colours in 2000 by the South African Rugby Union.
Besides rugby he was also a formidable cricket player who could perform miracles with both bat and ball.
He was married to Deborah Hufkie and together they had two children, Edison and Brynmore-Rose.
He leaves behind his wife, two children and four grandchildren.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, 2 March, with services at his home at 09:00 and at the Parsonage Street Congregational Church at 10:00. A memorial service will also be held on Thursday, 28 February, at the Parsonage Street Congregational Church, starting at 18:00.
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