What a sad day for Port Elizabeth – DA Councillor, Community Activist and all round mensch, Terry Herbst died of a massive heart attack today, 14 July 2011.
Terry described himself as; “Just an ordinary guy who is glad to be alive.”
I got to know Terry through the Amsterdamhoek set – dinner parties and fine living, lots of laughs and community activism. Years later we met again as MyPE started highlighting the areas that needed improvement in his beloved Central. The encouragement that the late Hilton Shorrock and I received from Terry was invaluable in our quest to make Port Elizabeth a better place for all.
Terry was a graduate of the Technical College, Hamburg in Johannesburg, Class of 1947.
The written word and journalism was to prove to be an abiding passion of Terry’s and he had the dubious ‘pleasure’ of being banned (but re-instated) from the Three Arts Theatre in Plumstead, Cape Town after an all too-honest review whilst he was Arts editor of the Cape Times some 40 years ago.
An inveterate and prolific letter writer, Terry loved to champion the causes of people who were cast aside or in need of a helping hand. For years Terry wrote letters about corruption in Bisho, culminating in publication of his book, The Bisho Letters – A Challenge to Thabo Mbeki, on 26 January 2000. This book was based on over 550 letters that he had sent in an effort to expose mismanagement, fraud, theft and nepotism in the Eastern Cape Government.
A city councillor for 15 years Herbst was tireless in exposing the degradation of the built heritage in Central and other areas in Port Elizabeth. Terry represented the downtrodden of Zosa Street. And, when it was politically prudent for others to follow through and ‘grab the glory’ for finally solving the Zosa Street problem, Terry was gracious enough to move on to fighting the next fight on behalf of people that really needed him.
I shall miss Terry’s phone calls cataloguing the outrages being perpertrated upon citizens of Port Elizabeth from New Brighton to Korsten to Bethelsdorp to Central.
Port Elizabeth has lost a fine social activist who held a strict moral compass in his dealings with people.
Ken – you and I shall raise a glass to the indomitable spirit that was Terry Herbst and toast the passing of a legend.
Twitter Reactions:
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Read some of Terry Herbst’s Contributions to MyPE over the years:
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I never knew him, but reading about him and his writings and what he stood and battled for, it is a great loss. RIP
Let us remember also, a tremendous loss to the Performing Arts in this town. Terry’s literate, intelligent and insightful pen flourished over the arts pages of our newspapers for decades, entertaining and informing readers. His always definite reviews were taken very seriously by the acting fraternity. A good crit from Terry Herbst, was worth more than gold. First night nerves were always high when Terry was known to be in the house. There was a great quest to win his approval. This in turn ensured an ever increasing standard of excellence on our local stages.
For theatre to flourish, we do not only require outstanding actors, directors and backstage staff, but also outstanding critics, such as Terry, who appreciate the craft and are capable of producing informed evaluations of shows – Not merely giving away half the story and listing who was in it, in a dispassionate, disintersted manner, as most of the so-called “reviewers” subject us to these days.
When will we see another theatre critic of the calibre of Mr Herbst in this town?
Port Elizabeth is the poorer for his passing.
A great loss to the country. A great loss to the Arts.
Terry’s contribution to fighting injustice and incompetence in our metro will be sorely missed. let’s hope someone else steps up and takes his place with the tenacity and dedication that he applied to the job. R.I.P. Terry.
devastated. met him as a 19 year old journalism student and grew to admire and respect him. a champion is lost to us. my condolences to donald.