The Late Willem Bührmann
30 September 1945 – 7 June 2022
On 7 June 2022, a beautiful winter afternoon, Willem and his beautiful wife Susan, meandered the streets of their Tamboerskloof neighbourhood. Both, well known to friends and neighbours, loved to catch up on the latest on these regular walks. However, on this specific afternoon, Willem stopped for a brief moment and was then swiftly transported to another realm and universe.
Willem Bührmann (born on 30 September 1945) ) was a nephew (broerskind) of Dr Maatje Vera Bührmann. Willem and his family provided much needed care, accommodation, meals and support to Vera at their lovely home on her excursions from De Kelders (Skulpiesbaai) to Cape Town when establishing SAAJA in Rosebank.
Willem not only provided Vera with support during her lifetime, but after her death administered her estate and was continually active as a trustee for both the Vera Bührmann Testamentary Trust and The Educational Trust for Advanced Psychotherapy Trust. Willem, a town planner by profession, applied his logical mind in all matters related to Vera’s affairs and SAAJA. He was often the voice of reason and logic in Vera’s landscape of myths, dreams and symbols. His role in Vera’s life and thus also the life of SAAJA was constant, directional, stable and of immense value.
His presence, and of course his baritone laugh, will be sorely missed by all at The Educational Trust for Advanced Psychotherapy.
Willem leaves behind his wife Susan and his daughter Nelle – we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.