Paul van Onselen

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@chrisyelland @yakballs @CityofJoburgZA @MyJRA @CityPowerJhb @JoburgWater @helenzille Well done for highlighting it @chrisyelland

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@scrumming_ten I really do love you @scrummingflyhalf 🤣. Keep grinding their gears

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@IanLloydRoyal @Scotlandteam @SixNationsRugby Love it

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@JiffyRugby Then watch league

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@AndyGoode10 You were always right about him Goody. Loves a good melt down

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@SARugbymag If this team got the same financial backing as the underperforming sharks team , they would be another level . Well done Lions

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@scrumming_ten Very cool

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@MattP555 @Springboks @SSRugby Thanks Matt 👍

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@SimonBorchardt @SuperSportTV 💯. It’s a mix mash shitshow . Who are these people ? Please come back Matt.

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@SkyeZedA Insane . What have we become ? 😢

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@SimplyMegszcpt Agreed terrible . Looks like a cheap shirt one would buy at Pick n Pay . Would not pay R1300 for that

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@MichaelVaughan Jacques kallis

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@only1jamest Damn straight

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@mark_keohane @leinsterrugby @Springboks @AllBlacks Just shows you how damn tall Jordie is

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@MonamaSolly @TimesLIVE Great point

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@4KobusWiese Would love to see you in that 2025 outfit Kobus 🤣

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@JWDrennan @WillBattlehiem @haribaldijones Spot on . The area around Ellis has become a deal breaker .

[Richard Wilkinson @wilkinsoncape]

During the 2024 election, I found myself in a queue at a voting station in Johannesburg. As I waited, I noticed Douglas Gibson walking past me with another elderly person to get to the front of the queue.

I thought it was really good of Douglas - retired at age 81 - to take the trouble to come and vote, and I was pleased that he got to go to the front of the queue.

But then I saw him walk past me again. And again. I couldn't understand what was going on. I finally struck up a conversation with him and it turned out that he was actually helping OTHER elderly people get to the front of the queue.

As I left the voting station, I saw Douglas once more – this time at a Democratic Alliance table, taking names, collecting email addresses and handling all the unglamorous, thankless tasks of grassroots political work. Tireless, dedicated - and absolutely not retired.

It struck me that here was a real patriot. A man, in his 80s, selflessly giving his time and energy to further the cause of democracy and the cause of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa. Nothing in it for him. He was here simply to be of service to others.

I had the privilege of speaking with Douglas on several occasions. Each time I learned something new. He was both interesting and deeply interested – curious about people, passionate about the country, and always focused on the future.

He participated in South African politics in eight different decades. The first four decades were spent resisting the evil of apartheid. The second four decades were spent resisting the excesses of ANC-rule. Few can claim such a long and principled commitment to South African democracy.

If ever there were a man who personified the cause of classical liberalism in South Africa, it was Douglas. His life was a testament to the idea that true leadership is not about seeking power or prestige for yourself but rather about serving others, even when the spotlight has moved on.

We stand on the shoulders of giants. And Douglas was truly a giant.

[Paul van Onselen @onselen]

@RugbyBits Knock on 🤣🤣🤣