It is with a heavy heart that I inform our members of the passing of Dan Sleigh, the author of a number of publications and articles on South African history especially during the VOC period.

Dan was most renowned for the mammoth work “Die Buiteposte”, a study of the VOC posts around or under the control of the Cape commander during the time of the VOC.

His most recent publication is based on the detailed trade mission of a VOC boat to the East and back, a truly remarkable historical account. I was privileged to be his “driver” to a recent lecture which he gave on this book at the Swellendam Heritage Foundation. This allowed us time  to catch up on many years since we last travelled together talking about times shared, his lecture and his latest book. Dan was busy preparing another publication when he suddenly passed away.

Dan was particularly attached to Paarl as he studied and met his wife here at the Boland Teachers’ Training College. He remembered often walking past our house in Mill Street on his way to visiting his then girlfriend who lived in Plein Street. He always remembered me especially because of that.

Dan was an Educator to the end and the Swellendam talk opened my eyes to his commitment to education. It was obvious to me that his attention was on the students who were present at the lecture as he went to great lengths to ensure that the audience could follow what is a complicated concept of the inter-port trade carried on by the VOC.

Dan will be sorely missed for his knowledge, understanding and formidable research capabilities regarding the history of the Cape and the inter-relationships of its people.

On behalf of the members, the DHF sends condolences to his daughter and family on their sad loss.

Len Raymond