Former UWC rector Brian O'Connell praised following his death

CAPE TOWN - Former University of the Western Cape (UWC)'s rector, Brian O'Connell, has been described as an intelligent and kind-hearted man as tributes pour in following his death.

O'Connell, who served as UWC rector from 2001 to 2014, passed away on Sunday at the age of 77.

Bill from Fish Hoek said he grew up with O'Connell in District Six and also worked with him at Pentech, now known as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

"We were in management, and we had our meetings at Pentech in academic board and management meetings. At these meetings, it was a pleasure to listen to such an intelligent person as Brian O'Connell."

Mohamed shared his memories of O'Connell while he was a student during O'Connell's tenure as rector at UWC.

"He was always walking around on campus, not always, but regularly walking around on campus and interacting with students."

Desmond from Heathfield said he grew up with O'Connell in District Six, and they attended UWC together as students in the 1960s.

"We travelled on the Unibel train in '67/'68, around those years. He was ahead of me, and it's sad to see people I studied with dropping on the side. I'm in my 70s as well."