It is with sadness that the Western Province Cricket Association learned of the passing on Monday, 7 March of Ronald (“Ronnie”) Frederick Delport. WPCA President Ashraf Burns, CEO Michael Canterbury, the Board and members of the Association send their condolences to the Delport family.
Ronald is a former cricketer who played first-class cricket for Western Province in South Africa from 1950 to 1964. An off-spinner, Ronnie Delport made his first-class debut for Western Province at the age of 19 in December 1950 against Rhodesia in the Currie Cup. He also served as a President of Western Province Cricket Union (pre-unity) and a Western Province Cricket Association (post-unity) Life Member for the past 15 years.
President Ashraf Burns paid this tribute: “Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ron. We are thinking of you and your family as you celebrate the life of your beloved. May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time. We share in your sadness as you remember Ron and will keep you in prayer during this difficult time.”
Prof Cyril O’Connor, fellow WPCA Life Member stated that “he was not only a very highly regarded cricket administrator, but also a top-class player with a real passion for the game. His contribution to WP cricket over many years was immense.”
Adv Norman Arendse added, “We remember Ron very fondly: always polite and welcoming since the early days of unity. He was a pioneer administrator and assisted greatly in facilitating the unity process here in WP. He was deservedly honoured with Life Membership of the unified WPCA as he epitomised all that was good about cricket administration. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family. He shall be sorely missed at his beloved Newlands.”
May his soul rest in eternal peace
