STRUGGLE icon, story-teller and lover of cricket Jakes Gerwel received a fitting send-off yesterday from friends and family at a memorial service at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town.

Gerwel died on Wednesday, aged 66, following a major heart operation.

Renowned for his wit and quiet intellect, Gerwel also distinguished himself in business and as a family man. He served as director-general of the presidency during Nelson Mandela's term of office, during which time he occasionally admonished Mandela for wanting to wear the same shirt two days in a row.

Gerwel was also passionate about cricket, potjiekos, literature, and had a secret interest in TV soap opera story-lines.

These were some of the memories shared with more than 1 000 guests yesterday afternoon at the memorial, which was led by Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel.

Guests included former President FW de Klerk, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Graca Machel, while messages of condolences were conveyed from other dignitaries, including former US president Bill Clinton.

Gerwel's lifelong friends included performer David Kramer, who bade farewell with a moving song.

Saleem Badat, Rhodes University vice-chancellor, said Gerwel's intellectual pedigree had been a national asset. "Sadly, today knowledge and intellectual labour seem to be disdained, even at the highest levels of society," Badat said.

Gerwel was chancellor of Rhodes University.

Gerwel's son, Hein Gerwel, said his father's final wish had been that people should live in peace with one another. "Always play straight, was his advice to me — in cricket and in life," he said.

By Bobby Jordan

Source: Sunday Times