Netball South Africa is saddened by the passing of former President Rita Oosthuizen. Tannie Rita sadly passed away on Thursday 09 April 2020 at the age of 88. Netball South Africa has been informed that she just stopped breathing and passed away peacefully in her room at a Retirement Home just outside Pretoria. She was the Federation’s President between 1979 and 1996.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our own, learning about someone’s passing is never an easy thing to deal with. The news of Tannie Rita passing affects us all and the netball fraternity has really lost a gem in her. We are grateful for her contribution and for being a part of history books. We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the Oosthuizen’s and the netball fraternity at large. May her soul rest in perfect peace and we pray for strength and comfort to her family,” said Cecilia Molokwane, Netball South Africa President.
Rita Oosthuizen was the author of the book “A Century of Netball” on and was part of the famous 1995 South African Netball team that lost to Australia in the finals in Birmingham. She was part of management of that team with her daughter Tessa Halgryn as a player. Rita Oosthuizen was also one of the founding members of the national championships in 1951.
Netball South Africa would like to urge us all to afford the family the privacy and space they need at this moment. More information will be made available as soon as the federation receives it.
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