Dr. Hugh Ashley Brathwaite of Kennersley Park, East London sadly passed away on 26 May 2022 at the age of 80 years.  We extend our deepest sympathy to Hugh’s loving wife Biddy, children Nicola, Alison & Gary, Paul, grandchildren Samuel, Anna & Thomas, brother Neil, sisters Vanessa & Sandy and families.

A Celebration Service for the life of Hugh was held in the St. Alban’s Church, Durham Road, Vincent, East London, on Tuesday 07 June 2022.  The numerous tributes to Dr Brathwaite include the South African Medical Association acknowledging his great contributions to the Border Branch of the Association, of which he was also the President and Chairman, at different times.  It furthermore says in the tribute that Dr Brathwaite was actively involved in the different events for the Association. 

Dr Brathwaite was a long-standing medical practitioner in East London.  He qualified as a medical doctor at Stellenbosch University. After completing his medical studies in 1964, he took up the position of resident medical officer at Frere Hospital in East London. He was in private practice in  East London as a Family Medicine practioner for nearly 50 years.   He married Bridget (Biddy) Nicholson in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Stellenbosch, on 10th January 1964.  Biddy is the daughter of Reginald Nicholson who was at Bishops from 1924 to 1926, the renowned South African oenologist and farmer at Rustenberg in Idas valley, Stellenbosch.  Hugh’s elder brother Neil, was present at the wedding, ‘in charge of the ring’. 

Hugh Ashley Brathwaite was at Bishops from 1954 – 1958; his elder sibling Neil Ashley Brathwaite was at Bishops from 1953 – 1957. They were the sons of Guy Ashley Brathwaite at Bishops from 1926 – 1930, who read law at Cambridge University where he was a rugby blue; and so was Guy’s brother Kem Ashley Brathwaite (1926 – 28).  Hugh was a Prefect in Founders in his Matric year (1958).  In that year, he came first in the Senior Diving Competition; as well as first in several of the senior swimming events. By all accounts he was the school’s champion swimmer for that year (1958, the year he matriculated).  In addition, he was awarded his House colours for Rugby.  He held the rank of Corporal in the School Cadet Corps.  

In his new boy year Hugh quickly made friends with Dick Armstrong and Richard Bonnard (at Bishops 1954 – 1958). They remained firm friends throughout their school years and after. Dick became a pilot in SAA. Tragically he was in a crash outside Windhoek in 1968 and lost his life. Hugh has kept up his friend ship with Richard all these years. Recently when he came to Cape Town for a very sophisticated op on tumours in his liver, he found time to meet up with Richard. Also, on that visit to Cape Town he joined his brother Neil on a walk around Silvermine dam.

From reading the various tributes, Hugh Brathwaite was an exceptional individual which is what a member of his medical practice in East London said of him ... ‘an incredible person’!  

Dr Hugh will be hugely missed by Bishops, his old school and the OD Union and community. 

The sterling work that Dr Hugh Brathwaite did as the Branch Secretary of the ODU's Eastern Cape Branch for over 50 years is highly appreciated by the ODU; such a contribution is one that is significant as it is remarkable and speaks to the nature of the person dedicating his life in Service to others!   

May His Dear Soul Rest in Peace.

Should anyone like to view the Live stream recording of the memorial service held on 7 June 2022, you can CLICK HERE.