
Rosemary de Waal – leaving a legacy in the field of intellectual disability.
It is with great sorrow I inform you that Rosemary de Waal, our much loved and respected Honorary President and long-standing member of the Oasis Association Board of Management, passed away on Tuesday 28 January 2025. On behalf of the Oasis community, I send condolences to her family, circle of friends and all who worked with her.
Rosemary’s work with Oasis has left a considerable legacy in the field of intellectual disability. Almost four decades ago, she played a key role as a social worker at an Oasis centre in Elsies River. As a volunteer in subsequent years, she served on numerous Oasis committees and was involved in developing day care centres in Ravensmead and Delft; group homes in Kenwyn, Claremont and Ruyterwacht and the current protective workshop in Elsies River.
Her unswerving loyalty to people with intellectual disability is best illustrated by many years of serving on the Board. She held various offices – Chair, Vice-chair, Trustee and signatory. At the time of Rosemary’s passing, she was a member of the Board elected sub- committee working on the housing needs of ageing residents.
Rosemary was a volunteer extraordinaire. Oasis wasn’t the only beneficiary of her generosity, which to name some, embraced education, social housing, early childhood development, and intellectual disability. She invested resources, unusual time commitments and broad expertise in contributing to the development of sustainable, caring environments. In these contexts, her work was characterized by empathy, hope, humility and a commitment to ensuring the rights and dignity of vulnerable people.
She was an unassuming, quiet hero, who made an immeasurable contribution to improving the lives of so many.
Rosemary was also a valued colleague, mentor and friend to me. Over the years, we often met in my office garden, drinking copious cups of coffee and laughing at ourselves while we tried to solve the imponderables that life presented to us.
She had a lovely sense of humour, a sharp mind which would cut to the chase and above all, a heart which cared deeply for others.
Gail Bester
Executive Director