When Freda Brock walked into the Resource Centre at the University of the Western Cape, she knew her father, Richard van der Ross, would be proud.

“When I look at the Resource Centre and I see that the emphasis is placed on learning through doing, it’s fulfilling some of his own ideals about the philosophy of teaching,” said Brock. 

The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Education Faculty unveiled a bust of Professor van der Ross at the Resource Centre, which has also been renamed in his honour. Brock said when people speak about her father’s legacy, there is always one starting point for her: “He was a decent human being who believed in people and in the potential of people. Coming from that basis as a teacher, he was willing to listen and see people in their context and respected their humanity and what they could bring to teaching”.

UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius said: “As we unveil the bust, we honour a legacy that has profoundly influenced UWC’s character and the trajectory of the University.”

The new Education Faculty building at UWC was officially opened in April 2023 and is a green building with state-of-the-art classrooms. The faculty continues to train educators who are equipped with teaching skills in the modern classroom, including the use of robotics and drones in teaching and learning.

Prof Van der Ross was a lifelong teacher, and his legacy lives on at UWC. He was appointed as the Rector and Vice-Chancellor in 1975, and under his leadership the university underwent a drastic transformation. Despite immense political upheaval and violence during apartheid, he demonstrated moral courage by promoting hard work and humane values, and reasoned discussion on campus and in society. He was often seen in the midst of confrontations between students and police. His legacy extends beyond UWC, leaving an indelible mark on South African higher education.

Caption: UWC Rector and Vice Chancellor Tyrone Pretorius, Freda Brock and Ben van der Ross unveil the bust of Professor Richard van der Ross at the UWC Education Faculty Resource Centre.

Caption: UWC Rector and Vice Chancellor Tyrone Pretorius, Freda Brock and Ben van der Ross unveil the bust of Professor Richard van der Ross at the UWC Education Faculty.