De Vries

Our deepest sympathies go out to the de Vries family on the passing of their patriarch Mr.Basil de Vries. My late father and Mr.deVries were friends, who traced their alliance to their days at varsity..and Wesley Training College in Cape Town..during the late 1940!s. Both taught school in South Africa, through the nineteen 50!s and 60!s...before emigrating to Canada. Reunited in Canada their friendship grew stronger and closer as they became the founders of the Forum Club. An organization begun in 1976 to further the awareness and support of the anti Apartheid movement in Canada. Through their tireless efforts at fund raising and education..the anti Apartheid movement became front and centre...funds raised in Canada, helped benefiit feeding programs in South Africa to underprivilidged schools...as a big part of the Forum Club!s work.Their tireless efforts could and did stand out, as influential when the first democratic elections took place in 1994.Basil de Vries and his generation made a difference in the world. South Africa is a better place because of efforts like his to better the lives of others, less fortunate. We salute his life..and passion he held for justice and peace.