'Trailblazer' and former England fast bowler Lawrence dies at 61
Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed last year with MND, a degenerative condition that causes muscle wastage and affects the brain and nerves.
'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE (King's Birthday Honours) following his brave battle with motor neuron disease,' Lawrence's family said.
'Syd was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field ... A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different.
'His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was. As president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Remembering Dr Pertunia Mathibe: the trailblazer who redefined beauty standards in South Africa
On Thursday, the announcement of Dr Pertunia Mathibe's untimely passing sent shockwaves through the wellness community and beyond. Image: X In the world of health, wellness, and self-discovery, some rare individuals leave behind more than just memories; they ignite movements, inspire courage and transform lives. On Thursday, the wellness community and countless patients were shaken by the news that Dr Pertunia Mathibe, known lovingly as Dr Pert, had passed away. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ She passed away after an undisclosed illness on Wednesday, July 30. Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on Thursday, sharing: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Dr Pert of the Dr Pert Centre for Body Sculpting. We are heartbroken by this loss. "She was a light to many, and her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched. We kindly ask for privacy and respect for the family and team during this difficult time.' Her passing has left a void far bigger than her clinic's waiting room. To many South Africans, Pert wasn't just an aesthetic doctor; she was a partner in transformation, a confidant, and a fierce advocate for celebrating African beauty in all its shapes and shades. A vision born in Hammanskraal Born and raised in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, Mathibe broke barriers in an industry that often looks overseas for inspiration. In 2017, she launched the Dr Pert Centre for Body Sculpting in Pretoria, a space dedicated to African clients seeking cosmetic and wellness treatments tailored to their unique bodies and lifestyles. From non-surgical butt lifts and liposuction to anti-ageing treatments and skin rejuvenation, she offered science-backed, carefully customised procedures. But those close to her say her real magic wasn't just in the results, it was in how she made clients feel. When I came across the headlines regarding the death of a former colleague of mine I came to understand that waking up every morning is a gift. 😥 Recalled the moments from the trauma and emergency department during her pursuit of aesthetic studies RIP DR Pert @drpertcentre — 🇿🇦Small_Business_Retweeter(Wendy Masote) (@wendymasote) July 31, 2025 With over 100 successful procedures on African bodies, her work wasn't just about physical transformation. Her approach went beyond physical transformation; she believes in restoring confidence, realigning self-image, and helping her patients walk boldly in their own skin. Over the years, Mathibe became a trusted name among celebrities and influencers like Cyan Boujee and Dineo Moloisane, who credited her with helping them feel more confident in the public eye. But her approach was never just about sculpting curves or smoothing skin. She spoke often about the power of aesthetic medicine to heal emotional wounds tied to body image and self-worth, particularly for African women whose beauty is rarely celebrated by global standards. Before and after image of some of Dr Pert's cosmetic procedure, the famous Brazilian Butt Lift Image: Dr Pert /X Mathibe's clinic stood out for offering procedures adapted for African skin and body types, something historically overlooked in the global beauty industry. News of her passing spread quickly on social media, where clients, fans, and fellow professionals shared emotional tributes. 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Further information and alternative arrangements will be communicated directly to affected clients in due course. Thank you for your understanding and continued support,' their statement read.

IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Racial tensions and professional jealousy allegations at Life Westville Hospital
Some of the protesters picketing against Dr Ntando Duze's suspension outside the Life Westville Hospital. Image: Supplied A screenshot of the conversation between the plotting doctor and the patient, where a doctor was luring a patient to make a complaint against Dr Duze. Image: Supplied A patient, who found himself caught up in alleged fierce professional jealousy and racial battle between doctors at Life Westville Hospital in Durban, has revealed how a plot to get cardiologist, Dr Ntando Duze, suspended was hatched by a colleague. In a revelation contained in the affidavit deposed by a patient and a WhatsApp conversation between the patient and the doctor who hatched the supposed plot, seen by Independent Media, the doctor asked the patient to file a complaint against Dr Duze, even if there was no evidence. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, the patient refused and instead reported the doctor to the hospital management. The hospital reportedly did not take disciplinary action against the said doctor, except for engaging with him, and the doctor apologised to the patient. Sources within the hospital said the plot to destroy the black doctor was allegedly engineered by another hospital, which is owned by a rival group. The hospital was said to have offered Dr Duze R15 million and a house to leave the Life group and join its hospital, which specialises in cardiology, but Dr Duze turned down the offer. Although the said patient refused to play along in the plot, it was believed that the orchestrators succeeded in getting to other patients on their side, which resulted in Dr Duze eventually being suspended. He confirmed his suspension but refused to discuss it further, saying the matter was now with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which was expected to investigate the complaints against him. A patient, who could not be named to protect his identity, confirmed the incident and the affidavit he deposed. He also confirmed the WhatsApp messages were intended to pressure him to complain about Dr Duze, even if there was no evidence. "I think this was driven by professional jealousy and greed. You will know that this sector, particularly cardiology, has been a terrain of Indian and white doctors for a long time; now they are upset by Dr Duze's good work. Every GP (general practitioner) refers their heart patients to him, which is not sitting well with those who had been dominating the sector," said the patient. The doctor's suspension has sparked anger among his patients, who picketed outside the hospital in support of him, yesterday. The patient's affidavit partly read: "This serves as an official complaint against Dr… regarding what I consider to be unprofessional and unethical conduct. At a time where I and my family were anxious about a medical procedure I was to undergo, Dr... was pestering me and putting me under pressure to report my doctor to the HPCSA, even though I tried to explain that I have no evidence against Dr Duze, he insisted that I file a case with HPCSA, which I found unprofessional, careless and driven by ulterior motives. "The doctor was not interested in helping me get a professional opinion, but in using me to further his agenda. Being a sick patient, I felt his action was insensitive and needed to be reported. He did not have to involve me in their politics while I was fighting for my life." The HPCSA has not yet responded to the questions sent to its communications team. However, Life Westville Hospital said it was aware of the allegations against the doctor in question by the HPCSA, and upon receiving this information, the hospital initiated an internal review, which was still ongoing. "Our investigation is still ongoing, and as such, we are not in a position to disclose further details at this time," said the hospital's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karisha Quarie.

IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Family fights to save woman's life as bone infection worsens
Amputee Tanja Badenhorst needs help to raise funds for her operation of a bone infection. Image: Supplied A Knysna family is racing against time to save the life and leg of a 46-year-old woman, who has endured more than 70 surgeries in five years due to a relentless bone infection that continues to return despite three amputations. Tanja Badenhorst, who has been out of work since 2015 due to a spinal cord injury sustained while working for a security company, first developed an infection in her left leg in 2020. Diagnosed as osteomyelitis, a severe infection of the bone, the condition has progressed despite repeated surgical interventions. In 2021, her leg was amputated above the knee in the hope of stopping the infection from spreading. When that failed, surgeons amputated again, twice, each time with the infection reappearing in the remaining bone. Her wife, Ashleigh Badenhorst, said the ordeal has left the couple physically, emotionally, and financially exhausted. 'There have been many mornings where Tanja has woken up feeling okay, and by the afternoon, her leg is swollen, red, and burning to the touch. That's when we know another abscess has developed, and it's back to the hospital,' Ashleigh said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In the past seven months alone, Tanja has been taken to the theatre more than ten times. Since the ordeal began, Ashleigh said the family has spent all of their savings on medical costs. Each hospitalisation costs around R25,000, excluding surgeon and anaesthetist fees. 'She has no medical aid and we've been surviving day to day. It's become a matter of life or death now,' Ashleigh said. Earlier this year, the couple consulted an infectious disease specialist who ordered an MRI scan. The results, received in April, confirmed that the infection was not only still in the bone but had now reached the bone marrow. 'She's been on intravenous antibiotics for three weeks now, and needs to be on them for at least six. But the specialist warned that the only other option is a high-risk operation to remove her leg at the hip joint, a procedure known as a hip disarticulation, which carries serious risks of mortality and long-term complications,' said Ashleigh. However, she said there was a glimmer of hope. After seeking further advice, the couple consulted an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in bone and joint infections. "He believes the leg could still be saved, but only with complex surgery and a two-week stay in a specialised infection control unit at a private hospital in Cape Town. 'There is still blood flow to the remaining limb, which means the bone can be saved. But the treatment is highly specialised and expensive. This is now about saving Tanja's life, not just her leg,' Ashleigh said. Ashleigh said the estimated cost of the surgery and recovery period is R400,000. With the help of friends, family, and a national fundraising campaign, the couple has managed to raise just over R185,000. The campaign has enabled them to secure a surgery on Wednesday, where they paid a deposit; however, the remaining funds still need to be raised. 'Tanja has been through so much. She lost her job, then her ability to walk. She even gave up her second passion — rescuing and rehabilitating birds — because of the leg. But she's a fighter. She just wants her life back,' Ashleigh said. She said that any support, financial contributions, donations, or simply sharing their story would make a difference. 'This has been a traumatic and painful journey for our family. We are exhausted, but hopeful. We want to thank every person who has helped us so far.' A crowdfunding campaign remains active as the family attempts to raise the outstanding funds. For more information or to assist, please visit