Thanks so much for your messages everyone, the outpouring of love for Doc van Zyl is just amazing.

I only really got to know Johan when he was moved to the fore after the unexpected passing of Bert Wessels, the head of our company then and the son of the founder of Toyota SA. In the beginning Johan was an awkward speaker and many not familiar with him misinterpreted this as lack of confidence. Well it was maybe lack of public speaking confidence but certainly not of his ability as a businessman. Johan very quickly took control of the company and positioned it to align with the country as we were entering a brand new era of democracy. This was a difficult and perilous time but Johan navigated this with finesse pulling our staff and dealer network along with his vision, influencing industry and our new government. He was a formidable leader, who loved all of Toyota, loved manufacturing, loved South Africa and set high standards for us.

We are going to really miss Johan. I have many good memories of him as I had several opportunities to show him around the Western Cape and Namibia which were my regions. When you spend several days in a car with someone you learn amazing amount about them. I have learnt that Johan was a man of integrity, he was super smart, he had the amazing ability to unlearn and relearn which is why he was such an innovator, he was dedicated to his family, he had unshakable moral standards and he spoke his mind. 

Those awkward speeches I alluded to earlier were soon overtaken by a presentation style that was unique and inimitably Johan. He had a dry sense of humour whose jokes went right over the heads the those not sharp enough to keep up. He spoke with conviction, firmly and unwaveringly like a true leader. How can we not miss this giant?

To all those left behind, my hearfelt condolences.

Hamba Kahle. RIP Doc you are sorely missed.