André Kotzé

André Kotzé was a Springbok swimmer from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Province. He won the 100m freestyle at the South African swimming championships for consecutive years between 1979 and 1982.  Once, after completing a national service camp on the border. He also played water polo for Eastern Province.

Andre's family were from Rhodesia before they settled at Linkside in Port Elizabeth, where his father practised as a doctor. His mother, Margaret Kotzé, was a regular EPASA official timekeeper.

He attended Claredon Park Primary and Grey High School in Port Elizabeth, matriculating in 1976. He did his national service in the army between 1977 and 1979, and then studied geology at the University of Port Elizabeth. 

André swam with coach Tom Connell at Grey, and belonged to the Port Elizabeth Amateur Swimming Club. He married local swimmer Janette Miller.

André and his family moved to George in the southern Cape after many years of working in the Transvaal and overseas. He died on 2 December 2017, while participating in a ParkRun event in George. 

André was a keen musician and guitarist

University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) Springboks of 1981 - André with fellow PEA swimmer and Springbok lifesaver Mark Edge, on the front right. 

Winner of the Carden Cup for the 100m freestyle at the South African swimming championships in 1979 André Kotzé - with arch-rival Paul Blackbeard. 

Water-skiing at Redhouse with Kobus Scheepers

André and Janette at the wedding of Andrew Dean and Mandy Buchner at Knysna.