TRIBUTE

 

In memoriam: A tribute to Prof. C.B. (Calie) Schoeman

 

 

 

Prof. Calie (as we knew him) served as Extraordinary Professor in the Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management until his untimely passing on 27 June 2021. Prof. Schoeman joined the NorthWest University in 2002 and served as Subject Group Chairperson for Urban and Regional Planning for numerous years. Since 2015, he was appointed as Research Professor in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, due to his crucial and continuous involvement and contribution in the subject group Urban and Regional Planning.

Prof. Calie was a registered Professional Town and Regional Planner as well as a Professional Construction Project Manager and a Member of the Municipal Engineering Institute of South Africa (IMESA). He published widely and delivered numerous Masters and Doctoral students throughout the years and continued to do so until June 2021. One of his main contributions and legacy will be as Project Team Leader for the Competencies and Standards Project of SACPLAN (Phase 1 and Phase 2, 2015-2016) and the Project Manager for the formulation of Capacity Building Guidelines in Urban and Regional Planning for IMESA (2014-2016). He continually advised for both these entities from his capacity as Professor at the North-West University.

We remember Prof. Calie fondly for his burning passion for all forms and functions of spatial planning, and endless interesting discussions in the hallways about future trends and life in general. Prof. Calie made an impact on so many students' lives during his time in Potchefstroom. That is the one thing he will be most remembered for. We thank him for always being available and the invaluable advice offered to so many students.

In the words of Prof Calie (in the 50-year celebration publication of the NWU's Urban and Regional Planning Department):

"Die reis het pas weer begin. Nuwe bemanning sal weer aan boord kom. Tegnologie laat 'n spoor van vernuwing op opleiding, navorsing en ontwikkeling. Mag ons nooit die bestemming bereik nie, laat ons voortbou, altyd indiens staan van ons land, sy mense, gemeenskappe en in verantwoordelikheid van ons hulpbronne. Beplanning is werklik 'n wenprofessie. Die professie is in goeie hande, maar stap in diep voetspore." (C.B. Schoeman, 2015).

Translation:

"The journey has just started anew. New crew will come on board. Technology leaves a trace of innovation in training, research, and development. May we never reach the final destination, let us continue to build, always in the service of our country, its people, communities and in responsibility of our resources. Planning is truly a winning profession. The profession is in good hands but is following in deep footsteps." (C.B. Schoeman, 2015).