Mountain Club of South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Committee

Eulogy of Greig Stewart September 2003

Greig Stewart, (62), KZN mountaineer, runner, conservationist, lecturer, photographer, lover of life and of all wild places, died of a heart attack on Saturday 09th August while ice climbing in his favourite Drakensberg Mountains.

On that day, Greig went up to Sani Pass on a MCSA KZN berg ice climbing meet to gain experience for a forthcoming trip to Peru planned for next winter. He was climbing with Anthony van Tonder in an ice gully in the Twelve Apostles near Sani Pass in the Southern Drakensberg. Greig was a man who lived every aspect of life to the full, pouring his passion and seemingly limitless enthusiasm into all he did. Whether it was taking the perfect photo of basalt spires, leaping into an icy berg stream, running an early morning race or trudging through the snows of a Chinese landscape, Greig brought to each and every activity a deep sense of enjoyment. In this he also gave so much more to every one of us who have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him, for a few months or for decades.

As a young man, Greig worked for the then Natal Parks Board, gaining wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of conservation, biodiversity issues and enhancing his already innate love of the outdoors and all it contained. With a BSc from Natal University and Masters from Michigan State, he certainly had the training and background to support his interests.

A change in career took him into the teaching field where he joined the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg and lectured in Animal Science. He attempted to retire in 2000 but was unreservedly unsuccessful. Not very long after being called to take up a teaching position at Cedara, his skills were required elsewhere. Due to his enormous knowledge and experience in conservation and biodiversity, he was seconded by the World Bank to the initial team dealing with the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project. He was instrumental in setting up the links between South Africa and Lesotho for approval of the Project. Late in 2002 the Project was approved and he was again identified as the ideal person to take on the role of Chief Planner for the Project and joined the team.

Greig put into his climbing career the same enthusiasm he put into everything he did. Whether it was the cliffs of KZN, the basalt and ice of the `berg, the mountains of the Cape and kloofs in the Magaliesberg or the pinnacles of the far away ranges of Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Bolivia and China, his optimism and cheer affected all of his team mates positively. He was a founder member of the University of Natal Pietermaritzburg Mountain Club.

As a long standing member of the KZN Section of the Mountain Club he again put his love of wild places to good use. Not only was he a member for over 40 years, but he also served on the Committee for many years, holding the portfolio of conservation. His energy and enthusiasm to conserve the Drakensberg were boundless, and he always put his keen intellect and wide experience to good use in every task he took on. As a result he was often seconded on to many decision making bodies, both in the private and public sectors, and his clear logical thought process, his detailed grasp of the facts and eloquent manner of speech were often the catalyst for the turning point in crucial debates. Those whose opinion differed from his, faced a formidable adversary; those who concurred had an invaluable ally. The depth of his knowledge of the Drakensberg, and his wide experience will be sorely missed.

He also gave his time unreservedly to mountain search and rescue, serving on the team for over 30 years before standing down as a rescue organiser, as he wanted to focus on his conservation efforts.

At home on a small holding adjacent to Cedara, he and his lovely wife, Iona, enjoyed and valued their life together, supporting each other in their many and varied interests and activities for over 40 years. In 2000, they were both part of the Club's expedition to Bolivia and in her own account of that trip, Iona's dedication gives an inkling of their life together:

"To Greig, who for the last 40 years has led me into many adventures and epics. I guess this won't be the last!"

Their two children, Angus and Mairi, have obviously gained enormously from the positive view of the world with which they had been brought up. Angus is an advocate in Durban and is married to Lindsay. Mairi, a specialist gynaecologist in the Cape and now recently emigrated to New Zealand, is married to Ian Wallace, also a well respected climber. They have two young children.

Greig Stewart was a part of many, many lives. He brought the joy of his presence and inimitable sense of fun to so many people. He was one of those rare people who could relate to anyone regardless of their age. His loss is enormous. His shoes can never be filled.

To his wife and family, our sincere condolences - our warmest thoughts are with you.

To Greig, thank you for your friendship, your view of the joyousness of life. Be at peace.

Note: This is a condensed version of the original eulogy delivered at the memorial service.