The University of Pretoria (UP) pays tribute to UP alumnus, Convocation Advisory Committee member and businessman Mr Dawie de Villiers, who passed away on Thursday, 29 May 2025.

Dawie de Villiers’ association with the University of Pretoria (UP) started in 1974 when he enrolled in a BCom (Accounting) degree. During his academic career, he was elected to serve on the Tuks Student Council (1977/1978), and was also the chairman of the Olienhout House Committee (1976/1977), played for the Tuks Cricket First Team (1976/1977), and captained the Tuks Cricket Reserve Team (1977/1978). He received Dux Honorary Colours in 1977 from the University, and later completed his BCom Hons (Accounting) degree, Certificate in the Theory of Accountancy (CTA), as well as a Master of Science (MSc) in Real Estate Sciences at UP.

From 1998 to 2001, he served on UP’s Property Advisory Committee. He was selected to be an external examiner for the Real Estate Management programme from 2006 to 2010, and was a lecturer in Property Management for six years. He was also a member of the Convocation Advisory Board, serving as the Chairman of the Safety and Security Sub-Committee. In this capacity and through his involvement with the Hatfield City Improvement District, Mr de Villiers was always working towards the goal of making our campuses a safer place for the UP community.

After completing his studies, he co-founded the MidCity Property Group with Prof Piet Botha and Mr Steyn Pieterse. Today, MidCity is one of the largest property management and development companies in the northern Gauteng region.

On behalf of the UP community, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen has expressed our deepest condolences to Mr de Villiers’ family. May his loved ones be granted comfort and strength during this difficult time.

The memorial service for Mr de Villiers will be held on Friday, 6 June 2025 at 11:00 at the NG Kerk, Stellastraat, Waterkloof, Pretoria. The link for direct streaming is as follows: https://youtube.com/@stellastraatlive

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