27/08/2026
Obituary
Patrick John “Paddy” Donnelly
Born : 23/03/1956
Died: 2026
By Monty Roodt
Patrick “Paddy” Donnelly passed away peacefully on Saturday, 15 August, in York, in the United Kingdom, with his beloved wife Liz at his side. He was 70.
Born in South Africa, Paddy’s life was marked by music, friendship, and a deep commitment to justice. He studied at Rhodes University, where he quickly became known for his sociability, wit, and passion for the arts. A gifted musician, he played the pipe organ and sang in choirs and opera throughout his life, sharing his love of music with all who knew him.
Paddy’s dedication to social justice began early, when he served as Chair of Catholic Society in his first year at Rhodes. His involvement in the struggle against apartheid led him to document township uprisings through his photography, bearing witness to both courage and oppression. His career included work in Mahikeng and later in London, where he served as an archivist and photo editor at the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa and the Catholic Overseas Development Agency. It was in London during the 1980s that he met Liz Morel, who became his lifelong partner.
His photographs documenting the lives of ordinary people all over the world are held in collections from London to South Africa. He was highly regarded as a film critic and was often invited to serve as a judge at international film festivals in Europe.
Returning temporarily to South Africa, Paddy joined the Rhodes University Journalism and Media Studies Department, where he ran the television studios until his retirement in 2022. He was a mentor to countless students, remembered for his encyclopaedic knowledge, his generosity, and his enthusiasm for teaching. He played a major role in establishing and running the Department’s yearly film festival, which became a highly celebrated event and raised the level of student work considerably.
During the COVID pandemic, Paddy lived with close friends and their family in Bathurst, enriching their lives with his love of music, card games and cooking. Known for his humour, warmth, and boundless sociability, he became a cherished “uncle” to younger generations, who admired his generosity and his ability to engage with them as equals.
Paddy will be remembered for his love of music, his devotion to justice, his convivial spirit, and his capacity for friendship. He leaves behind his wife Liz, his extended family, and countless friends across South Africa and abroad.
He will be deeply missed.
