Oom Peet van Zyl, ʼn oud-president van SA Jagters, is op 9 September 2023 oorlede ná hy ernstig beseer is in ʼn motorongeluk. Ons bring graag hulde aan ʼn man wat vir 48 jaar lid was van die Vereniging en ʼn besondere rol gespeel het in SA Jagters.
Petrus Paulus van Zyl is op 10 Maart 1943 op Steynsrus in die Vrystaat gebore. Hy het medies studeer aan die Universiteit Pretoria en het later gespesialiseer in diagnostiese radiologie. Hy het aanvanklik in Pretoria gewerk maar later sy praktyk na Pietersburg (nou Polokwane) verskuif waar hy tot sy aftrede gewerk het.
Alhoewel Peet ʼn benuttingsjagter was, het hy mettertyd ook trofeediere begin jag en het ʼn indrukwekkende trofeekamer gehad. Hy het bykans elke jagbare spesie in suidelike Afrika gejag. Peet was ook ʼn versamelaar van vuurwapens en boksmemorabilia. Hy het op ʼn jong ouderdom begin jag, maar sy belangstelling in trofeejag het ontstaan tydens ʼn grootwildjagtog in Botswana in 1975. Tussen 1976 en 1985 het hy 7 olifante, een witrenoster, 17 buffels, twee leeus en een luiperd geskiet.
In 1974 het hy by SAJWV aangesluit en ʼn aktiewe bydrae gelewer. Hy was hy onder meer ʼn lid van die bestuur (1981-1993) en ook president van die Vereniging. Peet het die eerste Trofeeregister vir SA Jagters help saamstel en het in hierdie proses 836 trofeë persoonlik gemeet. In 2022 het hy die stel kaartjies met sy persoonlike afmetings van hierdie groep trofeë aan SA Jagters geskenk.
Tydens 1982 se trofeekompetisie is hy aangewys as die Grootkampioen. In 1991 het hy die Pour le Mérite-toekenning ontvang, en in 2002 is erelidmaatskap aan hom toegeken. In 1991 was hy ook die ontvanger van die gesogte Musgrave-trofee. In 2020, is Peet se naam op die Vereniging se Ererol geplaas in erkenning van sy lewenslange bydrae tot die Vereniging. Gedurende sy jare as lid van SA Jagters, het hy sonder onderbreking 46 Algemene Jaarvergaderings en kongresse bygewoon.
SA Jagters bring graag hulde aan Oom Peet van Zyl. Ons sal sy teenwoordigheid en ondersteuning aan SA Jagters mis. Ons dra ook ons simpatie en goeie wense oor aan sy geliefdes, familie en vriende.
Oom Peet van Zyl, a former president of SA Hunters, passed away on September 9, 2023, after he had been seriously injured in a car accident. We would like to pay tribute to a man who was a member of the Association for 48 years and played a significant role in SA Hunters.
Petrus Paulus van Zyl was born on March 10, 1943, in Steynsrus, Free State. He studied medicine at the University of Pretoria and later specialised in diagnostic radiology. Initially, he practised in Pretoria but later moved his practice to Pietersburg (now Polokwane), where he worked until his retirement.
Although Peet was a consumptive hunter at first, he started hunting trophy animals and had an impressive trophy room. He hunted most of the huntable species in southern Africa. Peet was also a collector of firearms and boxing memorabilia. He began hunting at a young age, but his interest in trophy hunting started during a big game hunting trip in Botswana in 1975. Between 1976 and 1985, he shot 7 elephants, one white rhino, 17 buffalo, two lions, and one leopard.
In 1974, Peet joined SAHGCA and became a very active member of the board (1981-1993) and also served as the president of the Association. Peet played a significant part in the development of the SA Hunters’ first Trophy Register and personally measured 836 trophies during this process. In 2022, he donated a set of cards with his personal measurements of these trophies to SA Hunters.
During the 1982 trophy competition, he was named the Grand Champion. In 1991, he received the Pour le Mérite award, and became an honorary member in 2002. In 1991, he received the coveted Musgrave trophy. In 2022, Peet’s name was added to the Association’s Roll of Honor in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the Association. During his years as a member of SA Hunters, he attended 46 successive Annual General Meetings and congresses.
SA Hunters would like to pay tribute to Oom Peet van Zyl. We will miss his presence and support for SA Hunters. We also extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his loved ones, family and friends.
