Issued by: Ministry of Mineral and Energy Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF MINERAL AND ENERGY AFFAIRS, MR R F (PIK) BOTHA
Pretoria Sunday 15 October 1995
DEATH OF CHAIRMAN OF ATOMIC ENERGY CORPORATION DR J W L (WYNAND) DE VILLIERS
It is with sadness that I learnt today that Dr J W L (Wynand) De Villiers, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Corporation, had suddenly passed away at the Wilderness after a short illness. Dr De Villiers, who was born in 1929 in the Free State, studied at the University of Stellenbosch. From 1958 he was associated with the former Atomic Energy Board, the forerunner of the Atomic Energy Corporation (AEC), and in 1979 was appointed President of the AEC and Chairman of its Board.
In 1982, when the newly-established AEC took over from the Atomic Energy Board and the Uranium Enrichment Corporation, it was he who as Executive Chairman took the first significant steps to make the Corporation more commercially-orientated. From 1990 until his death he was, as Non-Executive Chairman, intimately involved in the development of the AEC's current commercialisation.
Under Dr De Villiers' leadership much was achieved in the sphere of South Africa's atomic energy and technology. In his illustrious career he enjoyed wide recognition, both local and international.
From 1982 to 1986 he was Chairman of the Science Advisory Board. In 1988 he was honoured by the State-President's award to him of the Disting and in 1991 the University of the Free State awarded him an honorary doctor's degree.
South Africa has lost a great scientist and human being. He stood by me over a period of years in the negotiations and discussions which led to the termination and dismantling of the country's nuclear weapons.
My special condolences go to Dr De Villiers' wife Juanita and his four children.
Enquiries: Roland Darroll
Phone: (o) (012) 322 8695 (h) (012) 43 3394 (cellular) 082 55 27994