Obituary. Remembering Hymie Steyn

The first time Hymie Steyn phoned me he told me, “I’m old you know!” I could hear his years in his voice, but I did not know he was 96. This week the Western Province angling community heard that he had passed away peacefully – without doubt a life well lived.

Hymie’s life and legacy will be commemorated on 28 November 2024 at the Dutch Reformed Church, Cnr Church Street and Weyers Avenue, Durbanville. The service starts at 11:00 and there is little doubt that it will be packed.

“Uncle Hymie” as many referred to him, was a legend in the ski-boat recreational fishery who left an impression on all that knew him, young and old. A founding member of the Cape Boat and Ski-boat Club at Miller’s Point where the slip is named after him, he was always passionate about his club and was active in its development throughout his life.

This wonderful character was also at one time the Vice President of CIPS, the International Controlling Body for Recreational Angling. CIPS has 102 member countries with 51.1 million registered members. It is a member of Sport Accord, the international Olympic Committee for non-Olympic Sports with a seat on the U.N. Food & Agricultural Division. Hymie was also Conservation Officer, salt water, for the South African Sea Anglers and Casting Confederation (SASACC) and of the South African Federation of Sport and Sea Anglers (SAFSSA) as well as Public Relations Officer for the South African Deep Sea Angling Association (SADSAA).

Back in August 2011, at the WWF-SA sponsored Recreational Catch Return workshop, Hymie lent tremendous encouragement and support throughout the Web Based Catch Return Site project and attended all the relevant meetings with DFFE and SAMLMA where the project was discussed.

Hymie survived two wives, lived in Durbanville, Cape Town, but about eight months ago he moved to Durban where he lived with his son and daughter-in-law until his peaceful passing.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Source: Malcolm Grant, Environmental Officer, South African Deep Sea Angling Association