Tribute to Prof Freek Cronje
Freek Cronjé was associate professor of sociology as well as director of the NWU Bench Marks Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility. Prof Cronjé was president of SASA from 2011 to 2013, and would have delivered his inaugural lecture as professor later this month at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus. Sadly, he passed away after a squash game. He is survived by his wife, Estelle and their two children Daniella (19) and Edrich (17).
Prof Cronjé was an active scholar, mentor and friend. He will especially be remembered for his efforts to strengthen the ties of the South African Sociological Association with other sociology associations in the BRICS countries. Piet Beukes (Bench Marks Foundation board member) praised Cronjé on for his "outstanding sociological research".Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, acting Vice Chancellor of NWU, remarks, “He has left big shoes to fill”. Prof Peter Alexander, who holds the SA research chair in social change at UJ remembers him as “the mainstay of the South Africa Sociological Association over many years”.
Tributes continue to come through. We encourage those who would like to share their memories of Prof Cronjé to submit them via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be uploaded to SASA’s website.