Riaan Cruywagen meant family time

As a child being brought up by two very politically active parents, often the only quality time we would spend together would be eating dinner in front of the TV watching the 7 o-clock news which could not be missed!

I remember I was still in primary school and had my tonsils removed in the morning at Claremont hospital.

We had been told that I would be released that same day. However much to my fathers dismay, I was only to be released at 19:00 in the evening - NEWS TIME!

My father rushed into my ward at 18:30 and said: "Chickie, it's time to go - we CANNOT miss Riaan."

I knew what that meant. I was launched into a wheel chair, raced home, wrapped up on the couch to join my family in our nightly routine: Mom, dad, brother, myself, the cat and Riaan.

After having lost my Dad almost 4 years ago, every time I would see Riaan on TV or even hear his voice it would trigger loving memories of those nights we spent together as a family.

Riaan you will be remembered as one of the best, if not the best journalists but to us as a family you represent so much more.

Thank you and all the best in your journey from this day forward.

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