Nel Family Genealogy & History

Elizabeth Shakespear Nel (née Layton) was a prominent figure as a personal secretary to Winston Churchill during World War II, serving from 1941 to 1945. Born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in 1917, she played a significant role in key historical events, including accompanying Churchill to the Yalta Conference and taking dictation for his VE-Day speech. Her career highlights and close association with Churchill are encapsulated in her 1958 memoir, "Mr. Churchill's Secretary." This book offers a unique insider's perspective on her experiences during the war years, despite initial objections from Churchill himself.

Elizabeth Nel was born to a First World War veteran father who later moved the family to Vernon, British Columbia, due to health reasons. She had two siblings, Michael, who served as a pilot in the Second World War, and Alison. After marrying South African soldier Frans Nel, she settled in Port Elizabeth, where they had a son and two daughters. Her husband passed away in 2000.

Gerhard C. "Gerrie" Nel, born in 1961, is a renowned South African advocate known for his tenacity in the courtroom, earning him the nickname "Bulldog." He gained prominence as a prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, handling high-profile cases like the trials of Clive Derby-Lewis, Janusz Waluś, and Oscar Pistorius. Nel also led the prosecution of former police commissioner Jackie Selebi, securing a conviction for corruption. His exceptional work earned him the 2012 Prosecutor of the Year Award and a Special Achievement Award from the International Association of Prosecutors. In 2017, he joined AfriForum to establish a private prosecutions unit.

Andries Carl Nel is a prominent South African politician and member of the African National Congress (ANC), renowned for his extensive career in justice and governance. Born on October 2, 1965, Nel has served as the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, with an earlier role as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. A human rights lawyer during apartheid, Nel was a key figure in South Africa's post-apartheid constitutional negotiations and served in the National Assembly for 25 years. His leadership roles include Deputy Chief Whip and house chairperson, reflecting his influential presence in South African politics.

Nel was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Nicolaas Nel, a South African diplomat from an Afrikaner family. His upbringing included international exposure, having attended high school in São Paulo, Brazil. This diverse background informed his political interests and anti-apartheid stance, further shaping his legal and political career in South Africa.

André Nel, born on 15 July 1977, is a renowned South African former cricketer known for his aggressive fast bowling across all formats. During his international career, Nel achieved significant milestones, including a personal best of 6/32 in a Test match against the West Indies and a 10-wicket haul that earned him the man of the match title. He notably troubled legendary batsman Brian Lara, dismissing him eight times. Nel's domestic career highlights include playing for Essex in the English County and the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. His career, however, was not without controversy, facing fines for on-field conduct and selection disputes tied to South Africa's transformation policy.