An excellent adminstrator: Lloyd Louw honoured for his service to sport

KIMBERLEY once again celebrated one of its finest sons when Lloyd Louw received special recognition at the recent Cricket Sports Legends Awards. The moment made even more meaningful as the honour was handed to him by Eugene Jacobs, a founding member of Diamond Park Cricket Club and one of the men who walked many steps of Kimberley sports history alongside him.

For decades, Kimberley has produced outstanding sportsmen, women, and administrators whose commitment shaped both community and competition. Names such as Edwin Abrahams, Eric Gossman, JJ Mokwena, HC Rose, Aubrey Everson, AR Abass, Baby Richards, Jim Summers, Ebrahim Jinnah, and Dr. Amin Bhayat stand tall in the city's collective memory.

Today, that lineage shines even brighter as the community pays tribute to another giant in sports service and leadership, Lloyd Louw.

Affectionately known as Mr. Fix It, Louw has long been regarded as one of the most reliable and resilient administrators in Kimberley. His journey began at William Pescod High School, where a spark was lit on Thursday and Saturday afternoons as he and his friends watched school games at the then Union Grounds. Under the guidance of school principal Mr. RM Burgess, the competitive energy of those early rugby battles shaped his understanding of the structures and spirit that keep sport alive.

Louw recalled this formative period with clarity and affection. “With my friends Shutty Hunter and the late Gasant Gool, we would go watch our school games at the Union Grounds. That grew my love for the game and everything that had to be done behind the scenes to make it happen. Our principal, Mr. Burgess, was always there, pushing players to give their best. That is where it all started for me.”

A lifelong calling is born

From those schoolyard afternoons grew a lifelong calling. Louw joined Universals Rugby Club in the mid-1970s, inspired by its rich history and encouraged by colleagues like Warren "Ambie" Adamson. Within a short time he was already representing the club as a delegate to the Griqualand West Rugby Union, where he came under the mentorship of iconic leaders and administrators mentioned earlier.

Their guidance helped shape his philosophy of service, resilience, and unwavering commitment to non racial sport.

Louw's rise through the administrative ranks was steady, and it was earned purely through hard work. By the late 1970s he was elected treasurer of the Griqualand West Rugby Union, a role he held with distinction until 1992. He represented the province at national meetings of the South African Rugby Union, contributing to major decisions during one of the most politically charged eras in South African sport.

Whether in rugby or cricket, Louw became known as the man who made things possible. He organised events, managed finances, fetched and carried players, raised money in any way possible, and even sold refreshments outside the Kemo Hotel to fund team travel. At times he used his own vehicle to transport players to away fixtures.

For Louw, nothing was ever too small or too great if it meant keeping the game alive for young athletes.

His service extended deeply into cricket. He worked closely with giants of the non racial cricket movement, among them Roland Kader, Freddy Fredricks, Stanley Palm, Morgan Moodley, Barlin Moodley, Eugene Jacobs and Abe Williams. Together they founded the Diamond Park Cricket Club and developed one of the first turfed cricket fields used by non racial teams in Kimberley. This achievement helped Griqualand West players to compete on equal footing when provincial competition moved to turfed wickets.

Years of service pay off

As an official of the Griqualand West Cricket Union, Louw served alongside respected leaders such as A K Bhayat, HC Rose, Eric Gossman, Edwin Abrahams and Gama Jinnah. One of his proudest memories came in 1988 when the Griqualand West cricket team won the Booley Cup. Having travelled a long journey with that squad, the victory symbolised not only sporting excellence but years of sacrifice, unity and endurance.

When the team honoured him at their recent celebration, he described it as a cherry on the top of a long and meaningful career.

Louw is equally remembered for his role in strengthening community sport during the period of SACOS and the fight against racial discrimination in athletics and recreation. He stood firmly by the principle of no normal sport in an abnormal society, even when it meant personal sacrifice, financial strain and limited opportunities. He remains deeply aware of what was gained and what was lost in the journey toward a unified South African sporting landscape.

Looking back, he believes the real reward lies in the friendships, respect and bonds formed across decades of service. His disappointment lies in the neglect of sports facilities in disadvantaged communities, especially the decline of the AR Abass Stadium and the crippling effect this has had on young athletes and schools.

Still, he continues to contribute through the Universals Old Boys group, supporting the next generation where resources allow. “With all the challenges the Club faces, I’m looking forward to the club celebrating its 140th Anniversary next year, and may it go from strength to strength,” said Louw. 

Acknowledgement of countless sacrifices

The recognition he received at the Cricket Sports Legends Awards is therefore more than a personal achievement. It is an acknowledgement of the countless kilometres, countless tasks, and countless sacrifices that kept clubs, unions, and communities functioning during some of the most challenging years in local sport history.

Today, Kimberley salutes a man who touched every level of sport from grassroots to national structures. A man who lifted others, who worked quietly but tirelessly, and who believed in service above personal gain.

Louw was an administrator of the highest calibre. Guardian of community sport and a legend whose legacy will continue to inspire Kimberley for generations to come.

But Louw acknowledges that no great achievement is gained in a vacuum, as he thanked those who supported him during tough times.

“Will it be wrong to dedicate the award to my Primary School teacher and later my father in-law, the late Roland Kader,” he asked. 

“This unsung hero was a learner at William Pescod High School in 1953 when he was selected for the Diamond Fields Cricket Team. At the interprovincial cricket tournament he was selected to the SA ‘Coloured’ Cricket Team. 

“At the 1967 Interprovincial Cricket tournament, Roland Kader was again selected to the SA ‘Coloured’ Cricket Team as the vice-captain  ... What a cricketer!

“Thank you to my family for the sacrifices they had to make that allowed me to try to make a difference to serve the community,” Louw concluded.