L’aura James — a life lived in dedication and service
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We are sad to pass on the news that L’aura James, our dedicated and long-serving BWA Administrator passed away over the Easter weekend.
In December 2020, L’aura retired after more than three decades of exemplary service to the Borehole Water Association. In addition to her administrative role, L’aura was the editor of the Borehole Water Journal (BWJ) from 1990 to 2015 and published volumes 19 to 99, before seeing the need to move the publication to an online platform.
As news of her passing has spread, we have received so many messages from BWA members and colleagues past and present — all of which bear testament to her commitment to her work at the BWA and the groundwater industry as a whole.
Mike Piché, President of the BWA (1980-1989), and his wife Margaret reflected on L’aura’s dedication from the earliest days of the association.
“We are honoured to be included in paying tribute and to celebrate the life of L’aura J. James. A life that she shared with so many of us.
“Professionally it is easy to do as there was no other person so diligent, trustworthy and loyal. L’aura began her career with the BWA in the study of our home in Meredale, Johannesburg. There she painstakingly entered all the details of the BWA members, prospective members, suppliers etc. into the database (as it was then) on our Commodore computer. From there she went on to work in the office in downtown Johannesburg.
“She went from sending faxes and manually laying out the pages of the Journal to the digital layouts that we have now. L’aura absolutely loved her position at the BWA and enjoyed researching different topics pertinent to the water well industry.
“She fought a brave battle but has now gone to meet her maker. She will no longer suffer. May God give her children the strength to live a life without L’aura. She was the backbone of her little family.
“Personally, how does one “write a few lines” about a friendship that spanned almost 51 years? We were so privileged to have known her and call her our friend. May she rest in peace — she will be dearly missed.”
A golden thread that runs through many of the reflections is L’aura’s heart for service. Prof Eberhard Braune, who retired from the Department of Water Affairs in 2006 said, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Derek Whitfield and Dale of E.D.R.S. said, “R.I.P. faithful BWA servant — thank you for all you did over the many years of dedicated service to the BWA.”
Billy Shield and Lynn Pienaar, Water Technology Plastic Industries (WTPI) reflected, “Thank you for your dedicated service towards the Borehole Water Association. Your tireless hard work for the good of the association will be sorely missed. Deepest condolences to the family.”
Gé Jooste and all at Super Rock Drills expressed thanks to L’aura for all her dedication to the drilling industry over the years. “We are saddened to hear of your passing, may you rest peacefully.”
L’aura will be remembered for the kindness and compassion shown to everyone she knew. If she couldn’t help someone with information, she made sure she found someone who could. Nothing was too much trouble for her. She made many friends and took a keen interest in the work that was carried out by BWA members.
Roy and Maryke Shearer of Ground Water Practitioners reflected, “L’aura, you were our most favourite and helpful person we ever had the pleasure of meeting and we considered you our friend. Always willing and happy to assist us in every possible way. We are going to miss our chats.
“Thank you for being the person you were. You will be forever in our thoughts. Rest in Peace dear friend and may you fly high and watch over us all in SA, the BWA as well as all the people that you assisted over the years.”
Peter Bauer of Hose Manufacturers shared, “She had such a wonderful sense of humour and we used to enjoy our post mortems of the F1 when Michael Schumacher was our man!”
Maxine Trollip of Aquatronics said, “This is so sad. L’aura was such a legend in the borehole game. My heart is very sore. Condolences to all the family and friends.”
Gerhard Mulder and the Geotech Team said: “Laura, your smile will be missed. R.I.P.”
Jonathan Tacon, BWA Treasurer, recalls: “Through the early years, times were tough and the general cynicism of the dam loving public was a barrier to our industry, but Laura’s optimistic approach helped keep us positive. Her ability to support all the members of the BWA, from the professionals, civic leaders, farmers and ministers to the drillers, manufacturers, traders and the public, she always treated them positively and equally. Always uplifting and always positive. L’aura collected and assembled an impressive reference library and was the editor of the Borehole Water Journal almost 20 years.
We will miss you L’aura. Thank you for your positive contribution to life.”
For many, L’aura was almost synonymous with the BWA. Andrew Johnstone of Groundwater Consulting Services said, “I worked with L’aura for nearly two decades and always found her helpful and knowledgeable — and she was Mrs BWA. We will miss her experience in the borehole water industry.”
Colin Rice, BWA President remembers: “I attended my first BWA meeting sometime in 1985 and one of my first recollections of that meeting was a very energetic, highly efficient and very professional lady who made sure that the event ran smoothly and without a hitch.
“L’aura remained the backbone of the BWA from those beginnings to her very sad passing. To many of us, L’aura was the BWA, she was the voice behind the telephone and she was the constant liaison between the BWA and the community that the association served - she was the constant that we could all rely on to get the myriad jobs done.
“We are all eternally grateful to L’aura for her dedication and energy in looking after the affairs of the association for almost 40 years.
“My sincere condolences to L’aura’s family and friends, you can all be extremely proud of the legacy that L'aura has left.
L’aura was very aware of the importance of environmental preservation and she had a passion for wildlife. Her happy place was sitting at a waterhole watching the wildlife or going on a game drive in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
L’aura James — a life lived in dedication and service
On behalf of all the members of the BWA and EXCO, we’d like to express our gratitude for L’aura’s immense contribution to the BWA and the groundwater industry. She will be missed not only for her hard work and dedication, but also for the wonderful human being she was. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
May you rest in peace, dear L’aura.
John and Beryl Tonkin
