Johannesburg - Former South African tennis president Johann Barnard passed away in Cape Town on Sunday, aged 86.
Barnard, who was recovering from an ankle injury sustained on April 8, suffered a stroke.
Born in Cape Town, Barnard was president of the SA Tennis Union (Satu) from 1986 to 1991. Prior to his presidency, he served on the Satu council for ten years as president of Western Province Tennis.
During his tenure as president, he played a key role in the transformation of tennis in South Africa, working with the African National Congress in creating the unified tennis body Tennis SA.
Barnard was instrumental in securing the ATP World Tour End Year Doubles final for South Africa which was hosted in 1991 to 1993 at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg.
Gavin Crookes, president of TSA paid tribute to Barnard, whom he called a “loyal servant of the game”.
“TSA expresses its sincere condolences to Margie Barnard and the family on their sad loss,” Crookes said in a statement.
“Johann was in charge of the game in our country during the transition period and will be remembered for his sterling job in negotiating a smooth and successful transition of the former Satu to the present TSA.”
Barnard's funeral will take place on Tuesday May 20 at 2.30pm at St Andrew's Church, Palmboom Road, Newlands, Cape Town.
Messages of sympathy can be sent to Apartment B3, Woodside Retirement Village, 21 Norton Way, Rondebosch 7700 Cape Town South Africa or emailed to [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St Luke's Hospice.
Sapa