15.04.2024 | BRIG GEN (retd.) Nico du Preez - Vice-Chairman of the Federal Council

BRIG GEN (retd.) NICO DU PREEZ

VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF KUSA

 At a Special Meeting of the Federal Council on Thursday, 4 April 2024, Clr Nico du Preez was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman of the Federal Council for the unexpired portion of the term of the Immediate Past Vice-Chairman, Mr Gérard Robinson.

Clr Du Preez’s association with the Kennel Union started in the mid-1980s when he joined as a member. In 1986 he registered his Affix, Bellators, under which he’s bred Bull Terriers ever since. He chaired the South African Bull Terrier Club for many years and was active on the Committee of the Northern Transvaal Bull Terrier Club for almost two decades. In the more recent past, Clr Du Preez also turned his attention to breeding and showing Smooth Fox Terriers.

Clr Du Preez has been a Licensed Judge for the Terrier Group for a number of years, in addition to being a long-standing Specialist Bull Terrier Judge with ROM status. He is also a Specialist Assessor for Learner Judges aspiring to become Bull Terrier Specialist Judges.

Initially, as the Representative of the Northern Areas Provincial Council on the Executive Committee, and later while simultaneously holding the Vice-Chairmanship of the NAPC, Clr Du Preez served on Exco for multiple terms. When he assumed the chair of the NAPC in December 2020, and thereby also secured his seat on the Federal Council, Clr Du Preez was well versed in the governance and administrative processes of KUSA.

Clr Du Preez joined the South African National Defence Force in 1984, after completion of his BProc degree. Shortly thereafter, in 1986, he graduated with an LLB and, fourteen years later, topped that with an LLM. With this came his admission to the High Court as Attorney. At the SANDF he was frequently promoted and when he eventually retired, he held the designation of Director Military Law and the rank of Brigadier General.

For the best part of two decades, throughout his Exco years and Fedco years, Clr Du Preez served as pro bono Legal Adviser to the Kennel Union. When the position of Vice-Chairman of Fedco fell vacant, there was no candidate more qualified, appropriate, or deserving, to assume the Vice-Chairmanship.

Following his retirement from the Department of Defence in 2023, Clr Du Preez and his charming wife, Whéllan, relocated to George, while retaining their base in Pretoria with a view to commuting between the two cities to deal with personal business affairs and attend dog-related events.

Outside of dogs, Clr Du Preez has a wide range of interests. These range from Clay Target Shooting and Hunting to the cultivation of Cycads, Clivias, Orchids, Tillandsias (air plants) and Bromeliads.

We are extremely fortunate that Clr Du Preez’s valued services will continue to be available to the Kennel Union in his exalted position of Vice-Chairman of the Federal Council.