Barry Ronge, South African film and arts critic and writer dies at age 74 in Johannesburg

Barry Ronge, a renowned critic and author from South Africa, passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 74. Ronge, who retired in 2014, passed away on Sunday, July 3, at home while being held by his companion Albertus van Dyk.

According to The Buz Factor spokeswoman Bridget Van Oerle, Ronge only wanted his death to be made public a week after he passed away.

“Albertus is obviously very, very sad. It’s a huge loss. They were together for 45 years. They had an incredible relationship.”

Barry Ronge (74) has passed away. Barry was a renowned journalists and broadcaster and worked for 702 for many years.

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 9, 2022

Barry Ronge was raised on the West Rand and attended Florida Park High School. He was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg.

Following his graduation from the University of the Witwatersrand, he started his teaching career at St. John’s College. This was followed by a ten-year term as a literature lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand.

He wrote Barry’s Bites for the now-defunct Sunday Times Metro supplement in the late 1980s, and he also served as the food reviewer for Sandton Living magazine under the alias Ms. Rebecca Parker.

Ronge is most known for his Sunday Times Spit and Polish column, his film reviews for the publication, and his Sunday night show on Radio 702.

He penned his final piece for the Sunday Times on February 23, 2014, after 27 years of service.