OD11 digital HR - Flipbook - Page 86
said upon James’s retirement,
“Your diligence will be missed.”
Wouter Wessels of FF Plus called
James “an example of a responsible
politician, always calm and rational.
When he differed, he differed with
dignity. He showed tolerance and
mutual respect.”
James will be remembered as a
loving family man, and a generous
supporter of the staff he worked
with. He is survived by his wife
Sheila; daughters Stephanie, Chloe
and Emma and their children; his
sister Helen; and his brother Andy
(1968F). Our condolences to all.
More than a media and marketing
legacy, Stuart leaves behind a legacy
that embodies love and admiration.
To be deeply cherished by his wife,
his children, his family – even by his
business competitors – was no small
feat. He was loved widely, not just by
those closest to him, but by colleagues
and friends enough to fill a stadium.
A steadfast partner and loving father
is a treasure. This community holds a
high standard for fathers; and we do
not overlook the ones who exemplify
what it truly means to love, even
when tested in the cruellest of ways.
Stuart’s life was a testament to this,
as captured in his wife Gabi’s book,
This is an edited excerpt from
an obituary by Rob Adam (1972F),
Jeremy Friedlander (1972F) and
Guy Lloyd-Roberts (1972S), close
school friends of James. See Issue 4
of The Old Diocesan for an interview
with James.
Get Me to 21: The Jenna Lowe Story,
a memoir that shares the family’s
extraordinary four-year battle to save
Jenna’s life after she was diagnosed
with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Stuart was a joyful, funny,
cheeky spirit who lit up every
room he entered. He was a leader,
a creative thinker and a hardworking
businessman whose ingenuity knew
no bounds. His loss is felt by many.
Described in a note from Julie-Anne
Bell, business director at BrandMapp
by WhyFive, as a genuine man, a dear
friend, a stellar gent, a remarkable
human and an institution in the
industry, Stuart lived life to the
fullest. Our condolences to his
wife Gabi and their daughter Kristi,
and to all who knew and loved him.
STUART
JOHN
LOWE
(1962-2024)
After graduating
with a degree in
social sciences
and marketing, Stuart Lowe (1980S)
spent his career in publishing and
consumer research. At Touchline
Media, he was responsible for the
launch of SA Sports Illustrated and
eight other magazine titles. Between
1997 and 2012, he worked at Ramsay
Media as group marketing director,
then as publisher of the Car brand,
and eventually as managing director.
He also launched Ramsay Media
Research Solutions, which was the
inspiration for WhyFive – which he
left Ramsay to launch in 2012, with
the BrandMapp annual research
survey. The survey is a unique,
independent landscape study of
middle-class and top-end South
African adults, created by marketers
for marketers.
84 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
This is an edited tribute by longtime
friend Brandon de Kock (1986K).
See Issue 6 of The Old Diocesan
for an article on
the Lowe family.
RIGHT Past masters
in fine fettle in the Old
Gym, c. 1994 (we think).
Standing: Messrs Leggatt,
Dobson, Fourie, Clark,
De Kock, Wallis-Brown,
Hamilton-Smith. Sitting:
Holland, Fisher, Charlton.
STEYN FOURIE
Steyn Fourie joined Bishops Prep
in 1974 from Oranjemund Private
School. He taught Afrikaans,
rising to department head; he
was housemaster of Charlton from
1981 to 1987; and he was involved
in a wide range of extramurals.
He was also a WP Masters athlete
for four decades, finishing his last
competition when he was 80.
Steyn and wife Ina, who died
in 2020, were a formidable team
at the Prep. “They are Afrikaans
teaching legends,” explained the
Bishops Prep Magazine in 2015.
Steyn, while charming with parents,
was the firmer of the two, and
older ODs may even remember
their encounters with the “lankie
plankie”… Ina had a softer touch,
and was known for spending hours
on the tennis courts – and for
handing out not one pink paper
in the 27 years that she taught!
Ina and now Steyn leave behind
their son Stefan (1986K), daughter
Ronel and grandchildren Stephen
(2018K), Jean Luc (2020K),
Daneel, Frances and Anouk. Our
deepest condolences to them all.
As Stefan wrote last year: “There
is a bench on Stanmore Field
with the following inscription:
You must serve faithfully and
wholeheartedly in the fear
of the Lord – 2 Chron 19:9
“That they have done.”
