Van Zyl died on Friday, at the age of 63. A spokesperson confirmed his death. It is understood that he died of Covid-19 complications at a Pretoria hospital.

Kwadgi says that Van Zyl was a well respected academic in his own right, and that he maintained close ties with the NWU.

He says that Van Zyl embodied the true meaning of an alumnus, and was always ready to plough back and share his knowledge, especially in the NWU Business School.

“His role and commitment was still the same, through the larger NWU, North-West University, because it’s different from Pukke. They had invited him now, he was supposed do to a presentation at the business school. You know as a leader, internationally. He was not just a national leader he was an international leader, an outstanding leader. There’s no way our business school could have operated without him.” 

Kgwadi says “with the inception of the NWU’s Alumni Awards programme in 2013, he was also part of a group of ten persons on whom this illustrious award was bestowed, once again for being an outstanding leader and businessman, and being a driving force behind the local and international success of Toyota.”

He adds that Van Zyl was a true leader and his pride for the university stretches far beyond being an alumnus. Kwgadi explains how hands committed to the NWU brand on Van Zyl.

“The issues that we were debating about transformation and where the new merger of the university would go were not foreign to him because this is something that he had already implemented in Toyota where he came from. And his experience was very handy with [regard to] that,” adds Kgwadi.

Kgwadi says one thing he will always remember Van Zyl for is his big heart, leadership ability and investment in every aspect of the university. “He always wanted more for the university,” adds Kgwadi.

“We met Johan the first time at our first council meeting after the merger and he was a very transformative leader, that’s the first thing that I noted about him, he was a very transformative leader.  The university was very special and close to his heart. All the three campuses together,” ends Kgwadi.

OFM News/Lee Simmons