And so it began...
May 11, 2021
John was born on November 14th 1933, the second child of Big Van and his glamorous wife Iris, only brother to Yvonne (dec) who both adored and tutored him. The son of a headmaster, he moved from Maris Stella to Durban Boys Prep to Greytown High, finishing his schooling at Newcastle High School. A talented sportsman, he played rugby for Natal Schools as well as swimming and running for his province.
He attended Pietermaritzburg University College where he studied pharmacy because, in his own words, “it had the nicest girls”. His rugby career at Durban Collegians was cut short by a motorbike accident, and he took up spearfishing, exploring the coastline on his Heinkel scooter. A passion for music which lasted all his life saw him take up the guitar, singing in a band and ultimately winning a talent competition at the Durban City Hall.
He attended Pietermaritzburg University College where he studied pharmacy because, in his own words, “it had the nicest girls”. His rugby career at Durban Collegians was cut short by a motorbike accident, and he took up spearfishing, exploring the coastline on his Heinkel scooter. A passion for music which lasted all his life saw him take up the guitar, singing in a band and ultimately winning a talent competition at the Durban City Hall.