Dr Ockert Potgieter, a former alumnus of the Faculty of Law, passed away this week in Mossel Bay due to Covid-19 related pneumonia. He completed his B Com, LLB and LLD (right to work) degrees at the then Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now North-West University). He received his B Com and LLB degrees cum laude. He also did a post-graduate diploma in Social Law at the University of Ghent, Belgium in conjunction with Stellenbosch University. He was a brilliant student and always full of life.

He was appointed at the then Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) as a lecturer in labour law. He, however, decided to forsake the law to do missionary work in the Ukraine. He became fluent in Russian. On Wikipedia it is stated: "Ockert Potgieter (born 11 December 1965, died 13 October 2021 ) was a South African missionary in the Ukraine and a film director. His name in Russian is Окерт Потхитер." For more on his interesting life story read Ockert Potgieter - Wikipedia.

Wilemien du Plessis said Ockert was my first doctoral student. He was a brilliant mind and was always full of life. What he decided to do, he did with all his heart. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences to his wife Michelle, children and family.