Lawrie, who was at the helm of the Foundation from 2001 to 2005, was a distinguished sociologist and an outstanding scholar of development studies. His initial involvement in social matters goes back to his early days as a social welfare practitioner. He will be sorely missed by the policy community in South Africa.
His keen intelligence, his lively and inventive mind, and his capacity for understanding different viewpoints, were the hallmarks of his style. Lawrie had an extraordinary capacity for fun and for seeing the lighter side of the human condition.
The Helen Suzman Foundation expresses its deep condolences and support to his wife, Monica, and their family.
27 October 2011
