A farewell fever has gripped the fans of iconic broadcaster and columnist Barry Ronge, who died peacefully in the arms of his partner Albertus Van Dyk over the weekend. He was 74.
Before his death, though, he had asked that his death only be officially revealed a week after he’s no more. Albertus and Barry had a wonderful relationship and were a couple for forty-five years. The reality of his death has therefore been particularly devastating for her.
Ronge was born in Hillbrow but grew up in the West Rad area, where he attended the Florida Park High School. After a stint at the University of the Witwatersrand, he began a teaching career at St. John’s College.
He would return to his alma mater, where he would spend another ten years – this time as a lecturer. He achieved a career milestone when he became the first male journalist reporting for the Women’s Page of The Star. His broadcasting career was just as illustrious.
Details of his funeral have not been released, but you can count on us to bring that to you in due course. Barry Ronge will be missed for his brilliant take on issues evident in his column Spit and Polish.
