MICHAEL DE WET
Mike's name is included on the list of those from our year who died. He matriculated in 1967, but it was almost as though he was a member of our class year as he played on all our teams and was a star middle distance athlete.
Remembering Mike de Wet ('67)
by Sean Day ('66)
We had a love of sailing in common. When I was a student at UCT, he called me and asked me if I was interested in joining him in delivering a yacht from Royal Cape up to Knysna. We sailed from Cape Town in the afternoon and we were off Cape Point by midnight. Although we had checked weather reports before leaving, the wind was much stronger than we expected, and we found ourselves in a howling South Easter down off Cape Point, in very rough seas with ships all around us (those were the days when Suez Canal was closed, and so a lot more ships had to come down around the Cape – it was busy!). We were struggling and suddenly the headboard on our main sail blew out, and we lost the sail! So there we were, struggling to stay afloat at midnight in a roaring gale and high seas off Cape Point!
It was one of the most terrifying nights of my life! Because we could not maneuver, we used torches to shine on our small headsail so that the passing ships could see us and avoid us. Some came very close. We were completely soaked and were freezing, and were repeatedly doused by spray and spume. Talk about hanging on for dear life!
We managed to limp back into Cape Town after jury-rigging sails the next day, and I swore that I would never be so cavalier again about just setting off without studying the weather charts more carefully!
So Mike and I endured a tough night together, and he was calm and collected throughout. No panic – we just worked the problem – and he was a very competent sailor. So I have this special memory of him.
I suppose we are at an age where we are going to get news like this more often, which is a sobering thought. RIP Mike.”
Remembering Mike de Wet ('67)
by Sean Day ('66)
We had a love of sailing in common. When I was a student at UCT, he called me and asked me if I was interested in joining him in delivering a yacht from Royal Cape up to Knysna. We sailed from Cape Town in the afternoon and we were off Cape Point by midnight. Although we had checked weather reports before leaving, the wind was much stronger than we expected, and we found ourselves in a howling South Easter down off Cape Point, in very rough seas with ships all around us (those were the days when Suez Canal was closed, and so a lot more ships had to come down around the Cape – it was busy!). We were struggling and suddenly the headboard on our main sail blew out, and we lost the sail! So there we were, struggling to stay afloat at midnight in a roaring gale and high seas off Cape Point!
It was one of the most terrifying nights of my life! Because we could not maneuver, we used torches to shine on our small headsail so that the passing ships could see us and avoid us. Some came very close. We were completely soaked and were freezing, and were repeatedly doused by spray and spume. Talk about hanging on for dear life!
We managed to limp back into Cape Town after jury-rigging sails the next day, and I swore that I would never be so cavalier again about just setting off without studying the weather charts more carefully!
So Mike and I endured a tough night together, and he was calm and collected throughout. No panic – we just worked the problem – and he was a very competent sailor. So I have this special memory of him.
I suppose we are at an age where we are going to get news like this more often, which is a sobering thought. RIP Mike.”
Mike de Wet (23 January 1949 – 31 March 2013)
Mike had a tremendous love for and knowledge of mountains, especially those around the Western Cape. Not only did he have incredible mountaineering ability but also a remarkable memory for routes and particularly difficult sections. But his mountain skills were just one part of being on the mountain with Mike – his other wonderful characteristics included his gentleness and calmness and natural ability to engage with anyone, making those who were new to the club meets feel at home and included. His calmness was stretched though when discussing the latest sporting disappointment or political gaffe! He was an avid reader of the Mail & Guardian and would often after a period of silence on the walk, start a conversation by saying “I read an article in the M&G this week…..” and then Bert and I would know there was something on his mind that would soften the blow of the steep incline we were busy negotiating!
He was a stalwart of the mountain club and member for 48 years having joined at the age of 16. The club meets he led were extremely popular with many returning time and time again including Ezan Wilson, Stephen Jaffe, Mark Liddle and Bert van Vlaanderen amongst others. For newcomers and seasoned hikers alike, his knowledge of all the peaks and ability to rattle them all off one by one was inspiring. He was genuinely interested in people and what made them tick. This interest combined with his well-tuned ability to listen, equipped him perfectly for the guiding, caring and teaching role he performed with so much success throughout his life.
Like all true mountaineers a walk wasn’t complete without the compulsory tea stop, to enjoy a hot cuppa, reflect on the surrounding beauty, and generally revel in the joy of being on the mountain. Mike will be solely missed by many people.
By Mike Munnik of the Mountain Club of South Africa
Mike had a tremendous love for and knowledge of mountains, especially those around the Western Cape. Not only did he have incredible mountaineering ability but also a remarkable memory for routes and particularly difficult sections. But his mountain skills were just one part of being on the mountain with Mike – his other wonderful characteristics included his gentleness and calmness and natural ability to engage with anyone, making those who were new to the club meets feel at home and included. His calmness was stretched though when discussing the latest sporting disappointment or political gaffe! He was an avid reader of the Mail & Guardian and would often after a period of silence on the walk, start a conversation by saying “I read an article in the M&G this week…..” and then Bert and I would know there was something on his mind that would soften the blow of the steep incline we were busy negotiating!
He was a stalwart of the mountain club and member for 48 years having joined at the age of 16. The club meets he led were extremely popular with many returning time and time again including Ezan Wilson, Stephen Jaffe, Mark Liddle and Bert van Vlaanderen amongst others. For newcomers and seasoned hikers alike, his knowledge of all the peaks and ability to rattle them all off one by one was inspiring. He was genuinely interested in people and what made them tick. This interest combined with his well-tuned ability to listen, equipped him perfectly for the guiding, caring and teaching role he performed with so much success throughout his life.
Like all true mountaineers a walk wasn’t complete without the compulsory tea stop, to enjoy a hot cuppa, reflect on the surrounding beauty, and generally revel in the joy of being on the mountain. Mike will be solely missed by many people.
By Mike Munnik of the Mountain Club of South Africa