Tributes pour in for Rodney Hartman

The South African sports world was on Wednesday mourning the loss of one of the country’s most highly regarded sports writers, Rodney Hartman, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday night.

Hartman had been fighting leukaemia for 15 years. Recently he contracted skin cancer, when a malignant melanoma was discovered.

He leaves his wife, Carien, three sons and a daughter.

Hartman, who was sports convenor of the Independent Group at the time of his death, was a former sports editor of the Sunday Times and of the Sunday Independent. He was also communications manager for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa, working closely with the former chief executive of the United Cricket Board, Dr Ali Bacher.

“Rodney was a man of integrity and honesty, and was highly regarded by international and South African sports writers, as well as sportsmen,” said Bacher.

“Rodney was never vindictive, and any criticism was always constructive — so much so that the subject of his criticism usually took heed. I never saw him lose his cool or lose his temper.”

Bacher saw Hartman just hours before his death.

“He looked at me and said: ’We ran well together between the wickets, didn’t we, Ali?’

“He also told me he was sorry to have been a burden to his family, and that he had had enough. Just before I left, he took my hand and asked me to pass on his good wishes to my family. That is the measure of the man,” said Bacher.

The editor of the Mutual and Federal South African Cricket Annual, Colin Bryden, described Hartman as one of the finest sports journalists South Africa had produced.

“He was a valued friend for several decades, and I am feeling pretty shattered by the news,” said Bryden.

“One of the oustanding things about Rodney was his superb knowledge of all sports, not just cricket. He was also an excellent sports editor.” Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa, said also paid tribute to Hartman.

“Rodney was a man for all seasons, and South African cricket was particularly fortunate that he devoted so much of his time, energy and skills to our sport.

“He graced the South African sports scene for four decades as a writer and sports editor and he will be sorely missed.”

“He was a great mentor, who became a very good friend,” commented Supersport communications manager Clinton van der Berg.

“In the highly competitive world of sports writing, I don’t think you would find a single person with a bad word to say about Rodney, and that is quite something.”

Van der Berg said Hartman had the ability to write with understanding about any sport, although cricket and boxing were his great passions.

“He loved good boxing writers, and some of the best sports writing has been about boxing.”

Moegsien Williams, editor of the Star and group editorial director, said on the IOL website Hartman had been a true professional and friend. “Rod set the example for all of us, from the youngest to the oldest, in both the way he conducted himself as a journalist and in the way he quietly and courageously fought his battle with cancer.

“His daily column was essential reading for anyone interested in sport and a masterclass for young aspiring columnists. We are poorer at his passing, but richer for having had the privilege of knowing him,” said Williams.

Hartman was the author of three biographies, about Ali Bacher, Hansie Cronje and boxer Brian Mitchell.

The funeral service will be held at Trinity Church, on the corner of 5th Avenue and Milner Road in Linden at 2pm on Friday.