Farewell to 'good guy' Barry

Published Jul 22, 2006

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Veteran political reporter and former chairperson of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association, Barry Streek, died in the early hours of Friday morning after an 18-month struggle with cancer.

Streek had a distinguished career as a parliamentary journalist, initially for the Daily Dispatch and then for the bulk of his working life for the then South African Associated Newspapers which at the time included the Cape Times, the Rand Daily Mail, the Sunday Express, the Eastern Province Herald and the Sunday Times.

Streek 58, died at the Sherwood Nursing Home in Kenilworth. He is survived by his father Dr Frank Streek, mother Deena and sister Jocelyn.

He spent 25 years in the parliamentary Press Gallery. Streek was the vice chairperson of the Cape Town Press Club and would have become the chairperson next year.

But Streek will not only be remembered for his work as journalist. He took an active role in the community and will be remembered for his kindness to many people in need of help or money.

His close friend Peter Soal said when news of Streek's illness spread, people from far and wide offered commiseration and sympathy.

"Barry had an incredible range of friends and he must have helped thousands of people during his lifetime. Archbishop Desmond Tutu came around to see him when he heard about Barry's illness. He was not just a good friend, he was a good man."

- For the time and details of a wake for Streek, you can e-mail the Cape Town Press Club at [email protected].

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