N3TC Heroes 2014

Ann Ansie Gerrie Isabel Julie Louis Manana Mariette & Dave Patrick

The N3 . . . more than a road.

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20 1 4

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01

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05

Touching Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06

Ann Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Ansie Jooste. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Gerrie Steenkamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Isabel Potgieter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Julie Hay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Louis Harmse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Manana Moloi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Mariette & Dave Steele . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Patrick O'Leary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

We are all related.We are all connected.

We are all madeof each other.Satish Kumar

02 03

Amanda van Blerk

intr

oducti

on

04 05

The N3 Route is the busiest road in Africa. Absolutely key to the economic

stability of the region, linking the port of Durban with Gauteng and many

small, medium and really tiny towns and villages along the way.

The world is faced with some big problems, many conflicts, and seeming

disorder. Many beings live with daily insecurity. It is easy to feel overwhelmed

by the multiple issues, but by focussing on our community, our neighbours

and local eco-systems, we begin to grow a new way of seeing and doing

things. Our lives are much more strongly rooted within smaller areas.

N3TC has recognised this and managed to connect many

of these small areas to create a web of giving, sharing,

learning and love.

The N3TC team views each community along the Route with a positive and

benevolent spirit – asking how they can help local organisations to achieve

the things that are close to their hearts.

This book is a celebration of generosity rather than greed, of understanding

the root rather than simple solutions, and of making a difference in the most

profound way. From Hilton to Heidelberg, Suikerbosrand to Swinburne,

Villiers to Van Reenen, meet some of the remarkable people who are part of

this N3 community.

Susan van Zuilekom

Stephen Pryke

nurturing

sustaining

enlightening

encouraging

06 07

nurturing

sustaining

enlightening

encouraging

N3TC has a firm commitment to supporting the communities

through which the N3 Toll Route traverses.

Its Touching Lives Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Programme spans four

provinces and supports more than 70 community-based projects annually. N3TC's

CSI Programme directly touches more than 69 000 lives in any given year, which

should leave a legacy that will last well into the future.

The Programme focuses on twelve core areas that include education, environment,

tourism, job creation, road safety, child welfare and heritage, amongst others. It is the

intention of the Programme to touch lives meaningfully with sustainability being the

key to its success.

touchin

g liv

es

Con Roux

08 09

Pieter Kotzee

There are some who

can live without

wild things,and some who cannot.Aldo Leopold

Ann B

urk

e

10 11

Ann Burke

Growing up in Wisconsin, USA with

long, cold, dark winters is about as far

as you can get from Africa. Summers

were fabulous though, and Ann recalls

the whole family spending them

camping at Devil's Lake State Park,

surrounded by purple quartzite hills,

where they hiked, cycled, explored,

swam and swam some more.

Nowadays, Ann Burke lives in

Nottingham Road (she grumbles when

the cold wind blows off the 'Berg -

those long winters obviously forgotten)

where she manages the KZN Crane

Foundation. Regarded as an expert in

cranes and especially, hand rearing of

captive birds, she is having a big

impact on the conservation of cranes in

the Midlands. Her mentor and friend,

co-founder of the International Crane

Foundation (ICF) and a leading

Sometimes people are born on the wrong continent.

Ann Burke was. Her mom, Joann realised this early

on. “Her favourite puzzle was of warthogs in a

muddy water hole” Joann remembers fondly. “I

thought it was an ugly picture but she loved it. When

she was just four years old, she told me that she was

going to live in Africa. Most kids wouldn't even know

where Africa was, but Ann was sure. Ann laughs

“Mom believes I imprinted on this puzzle!”

Her favourite puzzle was of

warthogs in a muddy water hole.

an a

fric

an life

12 13

Ann B

urk

e

Karen E

experience. “I would talk to her for hours about various aspects of

breeding and hatching. Once we had a plague of lice and she told me:

“Honey, go out and get tobacco leaves and put them in the nest” The

lice were gone the next day, it is a great natural insecticide!” No

doubt the hours Ann spent in her company pouring over pictures in

National Geographic and listening to stories of wild birds were a

big influence in Ann's life. Grandma would surely be proud that

Ann is author of the chapter on Wattled Cranes in the ICUN

publication, The Crane: Status, Survey and Conservation Action

Plan used around the world.

would be great way to meet some too!” The South Africans were

followed by Nepalese, Argentinian and Chinese - people from

across the globe. Ann was fascinated by the fact that the 15 Crane

species generated so much goodwill and were a symbol which

galvanised action across international borders. “I was truly inspired

by community conservation efforts which helped the birds and people at

the same time. Often the focus was on provision of fresh water and

sustainable livelihoods. It was my window to the world and of course, I

fell madly in love with Cranes.”

In 1989, the ICF received half the captive flock of the very rare

Whooping Cranes - with strict instructions to get them breeding. In

1945, only 21 Whooping Cranes remained in North America and

through the efforts of the ICF, they now number 600. “I was the

happiest woman on the planet – it was the best job I could ever have.”

It took seven years of dedication before they bred successfully.

George and Ann spent hundreds of

hours with the birds, focussing on

pairing “What many people don't know is

that cranes pair for life - but not just with

anyone – they have to have a real bond with

another bird. A love-match, really.”

Together they helped establish several

techniques to rear cranes in human

care, such as having human handlers

wear crane costumes to avoid human

imprinting. Ann adored being a 'chick

mom' and was particularly good at it,

learning all the time and becoming an

expert in hand rearing.. Ann's

grandmother kept a flock of Australop

chickens on a small mixed farm in Iowa

during the Great Depression and was

often able to offer advice from her vast

authority on cranes, George Archibald

says “In 1993 when she experienced the

magnificent Blue, Crowned and Wattled

Cranes on a visit to South Africa for the first

time, her destiny was sealed. Ann's

combination of intelligence, high energy

and motivation is now completely focussed

to help these special birds in KwaZulu-

Natal.”

Ann worked with George for many years

at the ICF which was located in her

home town of Baraboo, Wisconsin,

beginning as an intern in 1987. “A

friend had worked there and told me of the

South Africans she had met, so I thought it

It was my window to the world

and of course, I fell madly

in love with Cranes.

0814 15

Ann B

urk

e

Ann has grabbed opportunities to

spend time in Africa and after an 18

month stint helping the SA Crane

Working Group with research on how to

manage a release programme (once

you've got the breeding done, there is

no point keeping the birds in captivity),

she knew she had to find a way to come

back. “I burst into tears as the plane

taxied down the runway. I felt real grief.”

Ann felt that she just didn't fit in in the

States anymore. Her values and

priorities were different. As luck would

have it, an offer arrived to assist with

the Wattled Crane captive rearing

programme in 2010 (there are only 260

critically endangered Wattled Cranes

left in the wild). “The probability of

everything working out was beyond my

comprehension”, she says. Ann packed

two suitcases and started her new life

as a volunteer at the KZN Crane

Foundation - a non-profit conservation

organisation established in 1989 to

combat the causes leading to the

decline of South Africa's three crane

species.

She has been instrumental in

fundraising to build the isolation-

rearing facility at the new Wattled Crane

Nursery on the Bill Barnes Crane and

Oribi Reserve, where the KZN Crane

Foundation is headquartered. “I am

terribly excited about the architecturally

designed 'green' nursery, built with

sustainable principles,” comments

KZNCF Board member Jon Bates, learn

ing f

rom

cra

nes

16 17

Ann B

urk

e

adding “Ann is an absolute a delight to

work with. Her enthusiasm is boundless

and she has influenced our entire

community to 'think crane'.” South

African, David Oosthuizen, illustrator of

'The Wisdom of Cranes' (a book

celebrating the special ethos of cranes)

says “I am embarrassed to say that it took

a de-tribalised American to teach me

about these incredible birds right on our

doorstep.”

Ann is well known in the Midlands

community now. Recently, she set up

an education outreach in local schools

believing that education is vital if the

captive breeding and release

programme is to work. The programme

highlights the importance of protecting

Ann's combination of intelligence, high energy

and motivation is now completely focussed

to help these special birds.

the Midlands fresh water resource by teaching about the habitats

which are necessary for the cranes survival – wetlands and

grasslands. “The crane's reliance on wetlands is a reflection of our

own survival. The human need for clean water cuts across race, gender,

age and religious affiliation and connects us to all living things. Cranes

embody values of faithfulness and courage which are important across

human cultures.” Ann concludes, “We can learn so much from

cranes.”

South African cranes have the most astonishing ally in Ann Burke.

Cranes embody values of faithfulness

and courage which are important

across human cultures.

18 19

Ann B

urk

e

20 21. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Leon Heyes

Don't just stand there,

do something.Make a difference.

22 23

Ansie Jooste

Ansie

Jooste

When her car arrives in a swirl of dust

along the road at Sandriver Valley

Primary, Sibusiso races to open the

school gates for 'Khanyisile' as Ansie is

fondly known. In the bustle of excited

kids, one small boy tugs at her shirt,

pulling her aside to tell her proudly that

he is definitely going to pass this year.

Principal, Mrs Shezi, greets her warmly.

“Yoh, Ansie is a blessing in disguise” she

says. “When she came, you could see

things get going. She is our provider and

has made a big difference in our school.”

Besides providing blankets, beanies and

shoes to ward off the biting winter cold

in these parts, Ansie has, through the

N3TC Khanyisile Community Trust,

helped build kitchens, install water

tanks, create food gardens and put up

shelves to store text books. “Ansie is

not lazy, she can really work” adds Mrs

Shezi. “She cleaned the walls and painted

Early mornings see Ansie Jooste heading across the

hills to little schools tucked beneath gum trees or

hidden in a valley. She spots interesting birds and

often buck cross the road on her journeys off the

beaten track. As a fan of 'all creatures great and

small' this is a daily joy as Ansie traverses the

bumpy Van Reenen roads.

As a fan of 'all creatures

great and small'...

a b

lessin

g

24 25

Karen E

Ansie

Jooste

certificate. “You can save a life with a level one,” she says. However,

as there would be no help during the holidays when the school is

closed and teachers have gone home, Ansie has enrolled the school

cooks who live in the surrounding community, to learn first aid too.

Being so rural, assistance takes longer to arrive than you would

expect. “Now the community knows who to call in an emergency and

how to stabilise a patient until help arrives.” she adds.

“It's easy to work in a township school near the road, but no one notices

the ones you need to travel by 4x4 to get to. I go and find them as they

are usually the most in need of help.”

She is in awe of the dedication of

teachers who travel long distances every

day to teach at these tiny schools;

often multi-grade classes of hungry

children who rely on the one meal they

get at school. “The teachers have to cope

with snakes, veld fires and medical

emergencies on top of all the social issues

and teaching. A school is the heart of a

community – a post office and the first stop

for help in an emergency.” Realising that

there is very little knowledge of First Aid

in these areas, Ansie arranged for all the

teachers to get their Level One

our kitchen building herself. She is like a

mother for the whole school.”

Khanyisile means 'bringing light' in Zulu

and is an apt name for the Trust which

really does bring a ray of hope to rural

schools in the Van Reenen area which

have been ignored in the past.

The slightest hitch can mean

the kids have nothing to eat.

26 27

Ansie

Jooste

Health and nutrition are important

cornerstones of the work of Khanyisile.

“The government feeding scheme works

well most of the time, but even the

slightest hitch can mean the kids have

nothing to eat.” This prompted her to

build the kitchens so that food

preparation is not dependant on good

weather. A real issue is that during the

holidays, there is nothing to eat for the

youngsters. Van Reenen is freezing cold

in winter, so some schools now provide

a daily warm meal with help from

Khanyisile. Beanies and blankets are

distributed to the children and

community as well when needed to

ward off the cold weather.

Ansie has detailed records of 2500

children in the area – weighing and

measuring them once a year and

keeping track of their physical growth.

Regular eye-tests are part of the

programme as well. “Imagine trying to

cope in school with poor eyesight?” she

says. Glasses are supplied when

necessary. After SIX years, the data

base is comprehensive. “It is no good

just recording that the children are

underweight, if you don't do something

about it.”

A hungry child cannot perform to their

full potential, so in Ansie's words “We

can help create a life for these kids.

Improve their self-worth so they can tale

s o

f her

bra

very

28 29

Ansie

Jooste

contribute to our great country and look

after their families. All this is achievable if

we look after the basic needs and give

them a realistic start in their lives!”

As if this weren't enough activity to

squeeze into any given day, Ansie's

other job is as Intermediate Life

Support practitioner and fire fighter in

Van Reenen. Tales abound of her

bravery – fighting a tanker fire with

emergency service personnel and

rescuing people stuck in the snow.

Being a woman alone in the middle of

nowhere might be daunting for some,

but Ansie's passion to assist when

things go awry is astonishing. “It's

important to be able to help people.

Everything is integrated – health,

schooling, accidents – they are all part of

life and I can help when things go wrong.”

It's important

to be able to help people.Ansie acknowledges that much of this work would not have been

possible without a great team which includes N3TC and many

other people that work on the road.

Being on call all day and night leaves little time for leisure. When

the opportunity arrives, her sense of adventure takes her along the

paths less travelled. Free time is often spent seeking out geo-

caches.

“I live and breathe my work – it is who I am.” Ansie concludes.

30 31

We can help create a life for these kids.

Improve their self-worth so they can

contribute to our great country and look

after their families.

Ansie

Jooste

32 33. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Samantha Wootton-Zeh

As we share,

so shall we

prosper.

34 35

Gerrie Steenkamp

Gerr

ie S

teenkam

p

With his mates, Gerrie learned how to

speak Zulu, which wild berries were

tastiest, which mushrooms not to eat,

and developed his love of the outdoors -

particularly the grass covered hills

surrounding the Lost Valley on the

border of KwaZulu Natal. Ghunti still

lives and works on the old farm and

Gerrie visits as often as he can, feeling

terribly fortunate to have such a strong

connection to a childhood playmate

despite their paths in life being so

different in the intervening 50 years.

Asked if there is anything he'd like to

change in his life, the answer is an

emphatic “No, thank you!”. Having

experienced a fantastic childhood,

which gave him a priceless connection

to others in his community and unusual

at the height of Apartheid, has, without

doubt, influenced Gerrie's

determination to support the less

privileged.

“A few years ago, I had decided to move to

George, but N3TC then offered me a

position as Route Maintenance

Ghunti Mazibuko was Gerrie's best friend growing up

in Geluksberg. Together they explored the hills, rode

horses bareback, climbed cliffs and swam in the

streams while tending the sheep. Enjoying whole

days of freedom which are unknown to most children

today, often from the top of the iconic hill Tintwa.

(When viewed from the East, this hill is shaped like a

wagon tent, which earned it its name during the

Great Trek.)

a c

onnecti

on

36 37

Karen E

Asked if there is anything he'd like to change

in his life, the answer is an emphatic

“No, thank you!”.

Gerr

ie S

teenkam

p

buildings house 23 learners from Grade 1 to 6 until Gerrie and his

cyclists built toilets during 2012, there were no ablution facilities

at school at all.

Gerrie would like to introduce more cycling options for the local

children. He mentors a few who have done well in local races and is

in the process of establishing a sports academy in Tshiame

township with his friend Jan Moloi who is principal of Sasamala

School. Jan says “I met Gerrie in 2005, we both love cycling, it is part

of our lives. I prefer the road, Gerrie is the mountain biker. We have

been discussing for a long time doing something to develop these kids

classrooms. His beloved wife of 38 years, Leonie, who is very

supportive in his vision and sport activities, is also involved in

social work, squeezing as much as she can into her busy days

teaching at a primary school in Harrismith.

Gerrie's other passion is mountain biking. He has competed in

many challenging South African races and is particularly proud of

his many trophy's for instance - finishing the Cape Epic and the

Trans Baviaans race (longest single stage race in the world) a

consecutive five years in a row. The sense of camaraderie, physical

challenge and beautiful backdrop to the races has proven

irresistible. The Drakensberg escarpment around Geluksberg

provides the perfect training ground and inspired him to start a

race right there - The Trans Draak 24

hour MTB Quest – which has become a

feature on many adventure cyclists'

calendars. Competitors often simply

take it slow in this place where time

certainly does not fly. Admiring the

aloes clustered on the hillsides, ambling

cattle, grinning kids and the endless

views. “I remember one year these three

mountain bikers, with a team name called

“FU KING SLOW” took 22 hours to finish”

he laughs, “they just loved it.” Proceeds

from the race go to support the schools

that cyclists pass – like Mphopomo

Combined Secondary and Eboyeni

Primary. The latter, ramshackle

Superintendent and I am so glad I

accepted.” Working in the area has

given Gerrie the opportunity to help the

community in many ways. “I have

received so much, I can't see myself not

getting involved in giving something back”

he says. Gerrie is a trustee of the N3TC

Khanyisile Community Trust (founded by

Philip Hull in 2007) which assists 11

rural schools in the Van Reenen

(Freestate) and Sandriver Valley regions,

with basic infrastructure - building

toilets, community kitchens and even

I have received so much, I can't see

myself not getting involved in

giving something back.

38 39

Gerr

ie S

teenkam

p

fully and the sports academy will help do

that. There is this one farm kid, Bongani

Mosia, who was so passionate about

cycling and we helped him and know he is

in the professional ranks.” Gerrie is very

aware that dishing out bicycles where

there is no infrastructure or skills to

repair even simple problems like broken

chains is not very sensible. Training in

basic bike mechanics would be a good

idea and he is hopeful that the right

people will be identified and supported

to offer a very useful community

service.

Gerrie is a patient, respectful and

natural mentor. His job at N3TC allows

him to work with up and coming

contractors and he thoroughly enjoys

seeing them grow and thrive.

December Selepe of Karabelo Civil

Services whom Gerrie has helped with

Civil Engineering Construction says

“Gerrie has been a guide to me on

technical issues so that all maintenance

and safety standards conform to very high

levels. He generously provides his skills,

knowledge and time.”

Gerrie adds “I have met some great

people through my work at N3TC, Samora

Ncgaweni and Christopher Khezwa, my

colleagues, I really admire Anesh

Madanlal who is so committed to the

company and such a good manager, and

the way that Andy Visser and Con Roux

really care about the people and projects

they work with is incredible.”pati

ent,

respectf

ul

40 41

Gerr

ie S

teenkam

p

While retirement looms in a couple of

years, Gerrie is adamant he doesn't

want to sit on the stoep. He knows

exactly what he will do. “My passion is

to support people's development. The

little I am able to give makes a difference.

I have received so much, I must share. If I

can change one person's vision for the

future, I will have done my job.” He

hopes to mentor young engineering

graduates, to introduce recreational

cycling into more rural communities

and of course, there is always another

school that needs help. There is a lot

of light at the end of the tunnel.

Gerrie believes one has to build trust

and friendship, relationships must not

If I change one person's future,

I will have done my job.

be forced. “Love is the key” he says emphatically. Actually, Gerrie's

community work is an extension of his family, wife Leonie and

three children, Dirk (son) and two daughters Yolandi and Engela

(who have all graduated) and is self-supported. “If anything can go

right in your life, it is family. If your family is happy, then life is good.”

Geluksburg was a truly good place to grow up – a childhood that

has influenced Gerrie's entire life.

42 43

My passion is to support people's

development. The little I am

able to give makes a difference.

Gerr

ie S

teenkam

p

44 45. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Pieter Kotzee

Doen aan ander wat jy graag

aan jouself gedoen wil hê.

Leef voluit.

46 47

Isabel Potgieter

Isabel Potg

iete

r

Isabel Potgieter is doing a remarkable

job in her role as Membership Manager

North for the N3 Gateway Association.

All the more remarkable because she is

actually employed full time to run the

N3TC Help Centre in Harrismith. She

has the responsibility of looking after

the interests of N3 Gateway Association

members in Free State, Gauteng and

Mpumalanga, the Drakensberg,

Midlands, Battlefields and other parts

of KZN. “I love to explore and am so

pleased for this opportunity with N3

Gateway. It is growing on a daily basis.”

Beth Hilary of Verkykerskop Tourism

Association is set to join the

organisation soon “What I love about

Isabel is her enthusiasm. She drives all the

way out here for coffee and tells me “Kom,

kom Beth, sign the application forms nou.”

She enjoys the challenge of helping

local tourism associations see the

benefit of joining the initiative. Gently

explaining what it entails and how

working together benefits everyone.

Dave Short from Swinburne “Isabel's

“I'm having a hug day” says Isabel cheerily after

spending a week away from home at tourism shows

and training sessions for the N3 Gateway Project.

She certainly is a good hugger, making one feel part

of her extended family immediately with a beaming

smile and an offer of refreshments.

48 49

Karen E

I love to explore and am so

pleased with this opportunity for N3 Gateway.

Isabel Potg

iete

r

her

enth

usia

sm

Isabel has endured more than her fair share of hardships but has

emerged a stronger person for them. Growing up in the small town

of Harrismith, walking to school, and being able to celebrate

special occasions surrounded by a large family including

grandparents gave her a good base to build on. “I'm just an ordinary

person but I have had to climb some mountains. This has just made me

stronger.” Con Roux, Commercial Manager for N3TC quips “Isabel

is trying to save the world. Her enthusiasm and energy seem to know no

bounds!”

Determined to embrace the wider community, her family extends

to the BaSotho women of Refilwe Food Tunnels, Manana Moloi of

Mamello (whom Isabel regards as a mother – their families having

been linked through years of knowing each other in a small town),

the hardworking people at Hope House and her church community

too. “It is easy to support people who are doing such fantastic work. I

just link people up with one another,help out where I can and assist

with sourcing donations. Sometimes all that they need is to sit with

coffee and have someone listen to the sadness in the community – I can

do that.”

The work is close to the earth and close

to her heart. Obviously, food plays an

important role in the relationships. “I

love to eat with the ladies in Moholokoeng

or Intabazwe - pap and beetroot and

marogo - food that reminds me of my

childhood. My mother was always so

pleased that I was eating something (and

getting my vitamins) when I had lunch with

my nanny because I was such a skinny little

thing.”

cheerful and friendly approach keeps

everybody's enthusiasm alive. She has the

unique ability to mediate in disputes, and

to suggest practical ways to solve

problems.” Chris and Magda Hearn

agree “Isabel is totally reliable and will

always go out of her way to help us. Her

greatest attribute is her sense of humour –

in today's world with so many long faces it

is great to find someone who laughs so

easily and who gives as good as she gets

when teased. We all have a lot of fun

together on the N3 Gateway stand at the

various tourism trade shows. It is always a

pleasure working with her, as it is working

with the rest of the N3TC gang.”

Isabel is totally reliable and will

always go out of her way to help us.

It's always a pleasure working with her.

50 51

Isabel Potg

iete

r

She is definitely happiest in her home

beneath the Platberg in Harrismith. “I

love my mountain,” she says gazing out

of the big North facing windows in the

home her precious husband Pottie built

for her. “My house and my family are the

most important things in my life.” She

lavishes her family with love and good

wholesome food. “Ag, Pottie was hungry

in the night and finished off all the

fruitcake” she says. “When he told me in

the morning, I just said, don't worry, I'll

make another one”.

Isabel cooks with lots of love and even

when her family thinks her dish is

delicious, she is unsure and happily

messes up the kitchen again making

another - always with a smile on her

face, obviously.

Isabel's grown up daughters, Karin and

Isandrie, visit often to stock up on

homemade rusks, chicken pies, rice

pudding, hugs and to enjoy the friendly

way she wakes them in the mornings.

Karin says “My mother has kept us

grounded and safe through difficult times

and gives us everyday something to smile

about. She taught us the value of

everything, to appreciate it all and also to

look up and move forward. She's an

amazing woman full of wisdom and always

willing to help others even if that means

putting herself on the back burner at

times. Then she gets a lecture from us!”

sense o

f hum

our

52 53

Isabel Potg

iete

r

Isandrie adds “She taught us from

childhood that if life is bad we should just

look up and smile, and pretend it did not

bother us because tomorrow the sun will

shine again and then everything will look

better. The three of us are best friends and

sometimes we confuse people because

we are all so similar.”

Although, it would appear that there is

little time to spare, Isabel still makes

time to knit, play with her dogs, Fox

Terrier, Boet and Boerbul, Kaptein (she

couldn't imagine life without animals),

do a little gardening and work on her

house.

My house and my family

are the most important things in my life.

With a day crammed end to end with colour, joy, love and people,

Isabel sleeps really well at night. Dreaming no doubt of who needs

a comforting Isabel-Hug, of whom she can help tomorrow. Raising

funds for cancer patients and people with Parkinson's disease are

next on her list.

54 55

My mother has kept us grounded and safe

through difficult times and gives us everyday

something to smile about. She taught us the

value of everything, to appreciate it all and

also to look up and move forward.

Isabel Potg

iete

r

56 57. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Hans Slaghuis

Education is the most powerful

weapon we can use to

change the

world.

58 59

Julie Hay

Nelson Mandela

Julie H

ay

Julie Hay is serene in the midst of it all.

This is Julie's home and while the

Singakwenza project does have an

office nearby, it is clearly Julie's

creativity which drives the project, so

her home is part of the programme

too. Putting waste to work is how she

describes the process.

“You shouldn't have to be wealthy to be

educated” Julie says with

determination. South African statistics

show that only half of the children who

start school get to matric and that less

than 75% of those can get 30% or

above in the final exams. Unless

children learn the fundamentals at the

right age, they start school from a

disadvantaged position. “The only way to

change this is to change the foundation of

education and find creative ways of getting

real learning into less privileged

communities.” Julie has found a way.

With 10 000 creches in KZN, there are

plenty of kids who spend the day with

caregivers. “We work with the system

There is magic happening in Francesca's Cottage.

Ordinary, everyday things that are usually discarded

are being transformed into tools for learning and

playing. Harris is carefully flattening plastic bread

bags, Linda is making plans for a workshop, Smudge

(the cat) is playing amongst the colourful handmade

toys, Sthembile is sorting resources and Lindiwe is

making cups of tea.

sere

nit

y

60 61

Karen E

You shouldn't

have to be wealthy

to be educated.

Julie H

ay

wanted to do something from home which gave me time and energy to

spend with my own children.” Previously, she had been a full time

teacher but found that after giving to others all day, there was little

energy left for her own family at the end of each day. Toptots

fitted her ideals perfectly. “It was all about building relationships and

making moms more confident and aware of age appropriate activities

and development.” Seasons change and after an awesome 10

years she knew she had to reach out to the less privileged. She

took a big leap, sold her business and trusted that the right

opportunity would come along.

Julie always knew she'd be a teacher as children were a magnet. As

a pre-school teacher she has seen a lot of schools and crèches. “I

simply couldn't bear the wastage which I observed,” she says, “lots of

good educational tools which were either neatly packed away, being

used for the wrong purpose or simply languishing in the sandpit.”

Despite the presence of reasonable equipment, education was not

happening.

“Everyone wants to fix up the built

environment, but that does not necessarily

make a difference. I want the teachers to

connect to the kids and just start playing.”

Julie has seen many examples of

schools spending tons of money to buy

all the right equipment, then tons of

money to protect it, and realised there

had to be a better way. “I noticed that

people were quite helpless when

something broke, so the learning would

just stop” Now with the Singakwenza

way – if something breaks, you just go

out, find some more free material and

make a new one! Magic!

For 10 years before Singakwenza, Julie

ran a successful Toptots franchise. “I

already there, no point setting up new pre-

schools.” By investing in people, rather

than stuff, Singakwenza is able to

completely transform the ability of

children to achieve at school.

Singakwenza means 'We can do it' and

the basic philosophy is that we need to

do what we can, with what we have,

where we are. Focussed on Early

Childhood Development (ECD) the

project supports communities to help

themselves and equip children with the

skills they need in order to succeed and

make good choices about their future.

62 63

I simply couldn't bear the wastage - lots

of good educational tools which were

either neatly packed away or simply

languishing in the sandpit.

Julie H

ay

Julie's transformative voluntary work

earned her a Vodacom Change the

World Award which paid her salary for a

year in an ECD centre in 1000 Hills. As

fortune would have it, N3TC read a

story about her in the Meander

Chronicle, and after meeting her leapt

at the chance to help her make magic.

“The thing I love most about N3TC is that

they don't just want to tick boxes. They are

the most incredible and caring partners,

determined to make a real difference.”

Julie dreams big – and intends breaking

the Guinness World record for the most

plastic bottle tops collected in 2014.

How many bottle tops? About 70

million! The record is 157 000 kgs,

held by Columbia. Bottle tops are one

of their most useful and used items

and what they don't need will be

recycled and turned into jungle gyms

for their crèches. Who would have

thought fundraising could be this much

fun? Partner and fundraiser, Linda Hill

says “It is an honour and great privilege to

work alongside Julie to establish and

maintain an organisation that is truly

uplifting children. Her integrity,

knowledge and passion are incredible.”

You might have wondered earlier who

the Francesca of Francesca's Cottage

is? During a difficult period in Julie's

life, she chanced upon a book which

resonated with exactly where she was.

Believing firmly that books find you,

Julie embraced Francesca as her inte

gri

ty,

passio

n...

64 65

Julie H

ay

literary-sister and named her new

home after her to honour the

inspiration. A delightful print of a little

girl (also Francesca) beside the ocean,

has pride of place and reminds Julie of

her four year old self. Julie believes

that stories are one of the best ways to

teach kids and has read extensively to

her own children who have absorbed

her compassion and deep

understanding of people. When Matt

(age 17) first learnt at age 8, that there

was no Father Christmas, he was

horrified that there might be kids who

wouldn't get presents. He decided that

the best way to remedy this would be

to build a toy factory disguised as a

mielie meal factory to make gifts for all

the poor kids. Kirsty (14) is a mini-

Julie, who cooks with passion,

Enabling, empowering, nurturing, sharing -

changing the world.

understands the value of nurturing relationships and is a

voracious reader herself – determined to follow in Mum's

footsteps.

Julie's favourite toy – made from plaited plastic bread bags – is the

skipping rope. “It brings people together - you can't skip alone.” This

epitomises what Julie is about - enabling, empowering, nurturing,

sharing - changing the world, one child at a time. And when she

starts telling a story everyone listens.

66 67

The only way to change this is to change

the foundation of education and find

creative ways of getting real learning

into less privileged communities

Julie H

ay

68 69. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Maria Botha

Life is about

so much more than money.

70 71

Louis Harmse

Louis

Harm

se

“My dad was a farmer in Groblersdal and

Vaalharts, where he grew tobacco, corn,

peanuts and spanspek. He never ate

meat.” Louis prefers not to eat meat

either – his favourite foods being sweet

potatoes, broccoli and pumpkin. “My

mom was the sweetest lady in the world.

She cooked us good food and although she

didn't have much she always found

something to give to someone else who

needed it.” No doubt the healthy food,

a strong sense of community and

helping others, as well as the freedom

to live outdoors has had a major

influence on his adult life. “We had

nothing materially, but so many

experiences.” He recalls spending weeks

on end in the Kalahari, running across

the sand dunes.

After organic food and the great

outdoors, Louis believes that running is

the best doctor.

Whilst engaged in compulsory military

service, he met someone who ran

marathons, and who suggested that he

run the Comrades Marathon – which he

had never heard of before. He was the

first man to achieve 22 consecutive

Silver medals in the Comrades

Most mornings, Louis is up early working in his

veggie garden. Neighbours are often surprised by

bundles of beans or a couple of tomatoes on their

stoep when they open their doors.

72 73

Running

makes me feel

closer to the earth.

Louis

Harm

se

ente

rtain

ing

for charity including the Meals on Wheels Cycle Race. “At church

one day a lady told me that they needed help to raise money for this

important charity. I thought, I can do something to help, so we just

started.” The race has grown so much over the years and

thousands of participants now enter the race. Louis and his team

create very special trophies for the winners of the Meals on Wheels

challenge and a very interesting thing started to happen on the

podium. “The winners gave the prize money back to us and just kept

the trophy - one person started and now everyone does it.” Louis is

Louis moved to the Vaal Triangle to work in 1973. “I love being in

nature, but here there is not so much nature. Running makes me feel

closer to the earth. I ran 15kms to work in Sasolburg and 15 kms home

again every day.” Nowadays he does more mountain biking than

running, and lots of vegetable gardening, of course.

One of the nicest, wildish spots in

Vanderbijlpark is Klipbaai on the Vaal

River where Louis sometimes goes to

fish, canoe and watch birds. He is

constantly astonished that people

destroy beautiful mountains, dunes and

rivers to build enormous houses –

particularly noticeable along the Vaal

River. The Vaal also used to be very

polluted, but is vastly improved now,

much to his delight. Louis tests the

water quality weekly and is often

involved in clean up campaigns along

the river banks.

Through his business, Spectrum Sports,

Louis organises many sporting events

Marathon – he has run 32, the first when

he was 32 years old. Louis came across

Sam Tshabalala running for Frankfort

Marathon Club, saw his potential and

helped train him - Sam went on to

became the first black runner to win the

Comrades. Amongst his many

achievements, Louis also holds the

record for the fastest 100km

(6h58min10sec) – set in 1985 and

unbroken since.

74 75

He is constantly astonished that people

destroy beautiful mountains to build

enourmous homes.

Louis

Harm

se

convinced that everyone loves to get a

memento of the event they compete in

and makes a real effort to create

something for each entrant. For 18

years he also ran the very successful

Energade series, but really loves to

initiate new things.

The Rockman is his newest event - an

off-road version of a triathlon. He

explains “There was a gap in the market

for this sort of race. I could see people

wanting to get out of the cities, to leave

the buildings and the rat race. Die

stadsjaapie moet uitkom.” Louis

thoroughly enjoys entertaining city folk

in the countryside. “It's fantastic to see

them start to think, to change their minds

about money and what is important in

life.” This event is family orientated as

he believes that kids who grow up

outdoors are in a class of their own and

able to influence our future to the good.

Each person who enters a Rockman

event will receive a handmade wooden

trophy, complete with a little rock as

evidence that “I've been rocked!”

Camping is free to encourage hole

families to come along.

Spectrum Sports is a family affair. Sons

Gertjie and Louis are mountain bikers

too and involved in race timing. Wife,

Rinette does all the background

paperwork and keeps things in order. init

iati

ng t

hin

gs

76 77

Louis

Harm

se

“There must be one normal person in the

house” she quips – the perfect foil for

Louis' creativity and energy. Close

friend Bettie is provider of fresh

pampoenkoek, cups of tea, hugs and

chatter, in between helping to organise

the races.

Louis loves to ensure that the sun

shines on everyone. He often stops to

help people along the road and believes

that small, respectful gestures make a

real difference. He has transformed

some lives completely, like Pieter who

had lost everything through illness and

a run of bad luck. Now he has a proper

roof over his head and meaningful

employment. In Louis' words - he is

back in life. It is apparent from the

Louis loves to ensure

that the sun shines

on everyone. enormous pumpkin patch in front of the office and workshop that

the Harmse family can't eat all they produce. “I just give it away,

there are lots of hungry people and I can help them with good, fresh,

organic food.” When he holds staff meetings he likes everyone to

stay for a meal. “Ek maak potjie” is the usual invitation. Rinette

laughs “well, Louis usually just tells us what the recipe is and we have

to make it!” Mostly, it is a vegetable potjie.

Just Do It should be Louis' motto, not Nike's!

78 79

I could see people wanting to get

out of the cities, to leave the

buildings and the rat race.

Louis

Harm

se

80 81. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Stephen Pryke

Mamelo e tswala

kathleho.

82 83

Manana Moloi

Perseverance is the mother of success.

Manana M

olo

i

Soon, as clinics and churches started

to send children to her for help, she had

more people than she and her friends

could cope with.

In 2009 she approached the

municipality to allow her to use an old

beer hall in the township. The building

has been transformed with carpets,

furniture, paint and love and resonates

with the laughter of children now. After

school, a wholesome meal and the

opportunity to play board games, read

or get help with homework is a life

saver for many of these kids. Of the

500 children registered, 175 are on

anti-retroviral treatment. “When I can, I

try to make some mielie meal for them

early in the morning so they can take their

medication.”

The building's derelict back yard is

being transformed – ablution facilities,

a playground, and vegetable garden

are being added with the help of local

contactor Carl de Klerk. Carl truly

After retiring from her job at a bank in Harrismith,

Manana Moloi opened a spaza shop in the garage

beside her home in Intabazwe where she has lived

since 1950. “I had people coming every day to ask

me for water or some porridge, I couldn't believe the

suffering.” The plight of children especially worried

her, so she closed the shop and started to feed

needy people from the garage instead.

84 85

Karen E

The plight of the children

especially worried her.

Manana M

olo

i

a r

ay o

f hope

how we could take it forward.” Sabelo has brought his skills in

drafting funding proposals, has introduced email and started a

Facebook page. His abilities perfectly complement those of

Manana's and together they are a formidable team. “I could see this

was a clever boy and passionate about the community” says Manana,

“he has helped me a lot. I am getting tired now, but I know they can

carry on this work when I retire.” Others, like Kananelo Tsotetsi and

Hlengiwe Motloung make unique contributions.

Sawubona Gogo echo through the streets as she walks home. She

pops in to the school were Principal Ms Msikidi, talks about the

impact she has had on the community “She is young at heart and so

passionate. She is going all out to change this community. There is

always 5% of the community that is bad and who present a challenge,

making one try even harder.”

Others are drawn by Manana's

philosophy of 'together we can do more'.

Her commitment has attracted those

who are keen to help, particularly young

people. Sabelo Sigudu is her right hand

man, “It is in my heart to do this, I just

want to help the community – there are

many rewards for this work. My childhood

was difficult and I don't like to see others

suffer.” Sabelo moved from

Johannesburg to this rural community to

see how he could help with development

and community building. “Immediately I

heard about this place, Mamelo and

Manana, I wanted to be involved and see

enjoys every moment he spends with

Manana and feels privileged to have met

someone of such integrity. “My first

impression of Me Manana was that she is a

ray of hope, someone who loves, cares,

understands and comforts without

expecting anything in return. For the short

time in my life that we have shared time

together, she has left her mark on me. I am

proud to say that Me Manana is my friend.”

It seems that everyone in Intabazwe

knows Manana. Multi-lingual greetings

of Khotso, Hello Sweetie, Môre and

86 87

She is young at heart and so

passionate. She is going all out to

change this community.

Manana M

olo

i

Kananelo has taught the children to

play chess and promotes indigenous

games like Kgati, Diketo and

Marabaraba while Hlengiwe plans to

introduce ballroom dancing because

she believes building self-esteem is just

as important as exercise.

Recognising that fresh food is essential

for children's development and

especially for those who are HIV

positive, the cooks at Mamello prepare

fresh food daily, with lots of vegetables

and fruit. Local businesses generously

support the initiative. An old friend,

Lenara Nkabinda has donated a piece

of land in nearby Tshiame for a food

gardening project. “I want to help

Manana as she is always helping others.”

As expected, Manana has roped in a

group of volunteers to get the project

off the ground.

She shares her home with her daughter

Vuyelwa, who studied law and works in

Qwa Qwa for the Legal Aid Board.

Manana is very proud of her and recalls

an incident when Vuyelwa watching TV

when she was only four years old.

“Judge Dullah Omar was on the screen

wearing his long black coat. Vuyelwa

asked who he was and announced that she

too would be a lawyer when she grew up!”

She actually intends being a judge.

Vuyelwa says “My mum was always

helping people. When I was growing up

there were always people coming and help

ing o

thers

88 89

Manana M

olo

i

going in our lives. Although we were a

small family, just my mum, gran and me,

our house was full of people who needed

help.” Vuyelwa believes that the

example they set of being an anchor in

their community, of mediating disputes

fairly and giving even when they didn't

have much to give, led her to choose a

life of service too – living according to

the Christian values which are so

important to them. When their home

is not full of folk needing advice or

assistance, they live quietly, enjoying

healthy traditional meals of sejetsa

(maizemeal mashed with pumpkin) or

mogudu (dumplings with morogo).

Manana definitely has a persevering

outlook but it is her connections to the

Self-esteem

is just as important as exercise.

community which give her strength. There is no doubt that her

efforts are appreciated by the Intabazwe community. Her ability to

get things done means that N3TC is delighted to be able to assist

Manana to make a significant difference in the Harrismith

community. “Oooh, N3TC love Manana”, she concludes “and I love

N3TC.”

90 91

The cooks at Mamello prepare fresh

food daily, with lots of vegetables

and fruit. Local businesses

generously support the initiative.

Manana M

olo

i

92 93. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Susan van Zuilekom

You can't leave footprints

in the sands of timesitting on your butt. Who

wants to leave butt prints?

94 95

Mariette & Dave Steele

Mari

ett

e &

Dave

Ste

ele

“I could squeeze in something else, I

suppose” says Mariette, “but I need to

pay attention to my family's needs too.”

Family includes Dave, teenager

Michaela, Ouma, four dogs – Snowey,

Storm, Luna and Jack, Polly the

Cockatiel and cats Vlos and Boykie.

Actually much of Ladysmith whose lives

they have touched are included in

family too.

When they got married 22 years ago,

Dave was a rookie traffic officer. The

day they arrived back from honeymoon,

Dave was called up for a month's

military camp and things haven't really

improved much since then - Mariette

had to get used to spending much time

alone while Dave was on duty.

She soon realised that Dave was

absolutely passionate about his job (his

first wife, she quips!) and that the best

thing she could do was find a way to

support him in the work he does. “On

our Anniversary there was a huge

accident, our plans had to be cancelled.

The Steele household oozes positivity – an infectious

'can do' attitude. The fact that the internet relay for

much of Ladysmith is atop their home well

illustrates the pivotal role they play in this

community. You get the feeling that nothing is too

much to ask of them – Dave and Mariette are a

formidable team.

96 97

Karen E

Much of Ladysmith whose lives

they have touched are

included in family too.

Mari

ett

e &

Dave

Ste

ele

'can d

o' att

itude

speak confidently in expressing our sincere gratitude to both Dave and

Mariette for their amazing support. Dave is always at any major

accident scene, managing and controlling activities on site and then we

have the added comfort of knowing, that once those involved arrive in

Ladysmith, either to be hospitalised or perhaps requiring

accommodation, Mariette is there to look after their requirements. I can

honestly say that I don't know many couples that have such a wonderful

desire to help others and really make a difference in peoples' lives.

It became apparent when Mariette tagged along to accident

scenes, that there was a need for someone to provide a little love

for those involved. She began handing out teddy bears, blankets

and biscuits and this slowly grew into what is now known as Angels

in Motion.

Mariette qualified as a Paramedic some years ago and more

recently studied trauma counselling. Angels in Motion was her

initiative and introduced as a support mechanism to those families

and individuals who require assistance.

Yashik Tharachand of Sharaj Emergency

Medical services says “I am always

pleased when Mr Steele is in charge of an

accident scene. It is well organised,

efficient and there is no confusion,”

adding, “Mrs Steele is so good at taking

care of people and making them feel safe, I

am very proud to work with her. Every town

needs people like this.”

Philip Hull, founder of Community

Medical Services (CMS) has known the

Steele's for many years and really

appreciates the work that they do “On

behalf of the entire CMS Team that have

been working up on the Van Reenen's Pass

area for the last 31 years, I know I can

You just never know what will happen and

we have to be completely flexible.” Dave

says.

Dave is now Station Commander for the

entire Ladysmith District.

Dave is renowned along the N3 for his

positive outlook, leadership,

organisational skills and commitment.

He is at work by 5.45am and many

weekends are spent on the road.

Holiday times get hectic and he needs to

be on the ball to keep traffic flowing

smoothly. Accidents often happen at

night which means he never switches off

his phone.

98 99

Dave is renowned along the N3 for his

positive outlook, leadership,

organisational skills and commitment.

Mari

ett

e &

Dave

Ste

ele

Their daughter Michaela has inherited the

desire to help others and I have no doubt

that she will also become one of the

'Angels'. May the angels bless this

extraordinary family as they have blessed

so many others.”

Snow is a seasonal visitor to Van

Reenen's Pass and causes chaos. Dave

is extremely proud of the fact that

during the wide-spread snows in 2012

the area he is in charge of was clear for

traffic to move again a full 36 hours

ahead of any other area in the country.

He puts this down to being prepared -

“We know that snow is coming, we deploy

all our resources, gather the military and

get prepared.”

Mariette springs into action too, letting

her 'soup ladies' know to start cooking,

contacting the local B&Bs for

accommodation and making sure she

has baby food, nappies and blankets at

the ready.

Making and maintaining connections is

an important task. “I know everyone at

the hospital; Annemarie who will take the

dogs safely into kennels and the

pharmacist who will make up emergency

medicines after hours. It gets quite hairy

when there is a big accident with lots of

cars.”

makin

g c

onnecti

ons

100 101

Mari

ett

e &

Dave

Ste

ele

Dave firmly believes that visible

policing is one to the most effective

weapons that the traffic departments

have. He recalls a campaign he

initiated a few years ago where officers

on night shift enforced barrier line

infringements. There was a 60%

reduction in night time accidents

during that period. The N3 between

Durban and Gauteng is the busiest in

Africa. Dave takes his role of keeping

the road open and traffic flowing

smoothly very seriously –'the economy

stands still when the road is closed.'

Ladysmith resident, Magda du Plessis

concludes, “I think Dave knows every

road sign and corner of the N3 and R103.

May the angels bless this extraordinary family

as they have blessed so many others.

He is always available and 24/7 he constantly posts updates on Twitter

to share information on road safety. Mariette is an outstanding woman,

she sacrifices her time, talents and resources to make a difference in

the lives of others. These two have great integrity and our community is

better for their influence.”

There is clearly no sitting around in the Steele household then.

102 103

Mariette is an outstanding woman,

she sacrifices her time, talents and

resources to make a difference in

the lives of others.

Mari

ett

e &

Dave

Ste

ele

104 105. . . more than a road.The N3 . . . Francois van Jaarsveld

A stranger is just

a friendyou do not know yet.

106 107

Patrick O'Leary

Patr

ick O

'Leary

It is no surprise really to discover that

the young woman is in fact Patrick's

daughter, Kylie. Patrick is absolutely

passionate about trucking and this has

rubbed off on Kylie from an early age.

“I studied Interior Design after school, but

after working for a few years, I decided to

come back to trucking – I just love it!” she

says. Kylie is part of the team at Fleet

Watch, a magazine which Patrick

produces for the trucking industry in

South Africa. “Dad is so compassionate -

he really cares about the drivers, it is

impossible for me not to feel the same.”

Patrick began his career in journalism

as a junior reporter with the West Rand

Times after convincing the editor to

hire him despite his lack of training and

experience. “I love life and meeting

interesting people”, he told her. Patrick

remembers the excitement he felt in the

newsroom – the smell of the ink and

the sound of the typewriters – obviously

he was destined to work in media.

Before long, he was working on stories

for trucking magazines. “I was

fascinated that the transport industry was

a world of its own. Everything is touched

The petite blonde in red jeans dashing between

enormous trucks at a Brake and Tyre Watch day on

the N3 highway, seems really incongruous. There are

burly policemen about, tired truck drivers, dirty

mechanics and, the ever enthusiastic, Patrick

O'Leary.

108 109

Karen E

We have always told the kids

you can't just change your principles

when times are tough.

Patr

ick O

'Leary

lovi

ng life

integrity. Patrick does not publish advertorial in Fleet Watch –

either it is news, or it is not.

One of Patrick's skills is network facilitation – placing the right

people in touch with one another and helping to build relationships

and make connections. He has spear-headed many campaigns over

the years. One of the first began when he observed that the AIDS

epidemic appeared to follow the trucker's routes and decided to do

something about it, starting the Truckers Against AIDS campaign

which grew into the Trucking Wellness Campaigns. Patrick is proud

The rest, as they say, is history. Fleet Watch is no longer housed in

the spare room – premises have evolved into lovely offices in the

grounds of their home in Honeydew, where the dogs come to work

and Patrick can watch the horses from his office window. “Working

from home meant the kids were always involved”, Michelle says. Kylie

laughs “I was cutting up AIDS stickers since I was four and putting

together driver packs with my friends on weekends”.

Nowadays, Michelle manages the

running of the office as well as co-

ordinating all design and reproduction

while also conceptualising ideas that will

add value to the trucking industry.

(Patrick admits he could never have

done this without her incredible

organisational skills and energy), and

Kylie is in charge of Marketing and

social media.

“We never forced our kids, Kylie, Dylan and

Skye to be part of this. They just want to

give.” says Patrick, “We have always told

them that you can't just change your

principles when times are tough.” During

a challenging incident a few years ago,

Kylie reminded him sternly that the

O'Leary name stood for honour and

by trucks – leaders, workers, international

trade, social issues. It's tough, but it's

real.”

In 1994, with only his last salary as

capital, he started his own magazine –

Fleet Watch – in a spare bedroom. His

wife, Michelle, was pregnant with Kylie

when Patrick asked her “can you try and

do something with layout?” Michelle

laughs – “I didn't really know anything, but

I had an artistic background and learnt

fast!”

110 111

He observed that the AIDS epidemic

appeared to follow the truckers' routes and

decided to do something about it, starting

the Truckers Against AIDS campaign.

Patr

ick O

'Leary

that over 600 000 drivers and others

involved in the trucking industry have

been through these roadside clinics

over the years. He also saw the need to

tackle the issue of hijacking and began

working in cooperation with the police

and industry.

With his 'can do' attitude, it is clear that

Patrick has made a big impact in the

industry. He believes that successful

businesses are built on relationships

not transactions. The Brake and Tyre

Watch campaigns illustrate this

perfectly. He works with traffic

departments, the motor industry and

insurance companies to improve truck

safety. “I like to get to know individuals

and it is stunning to observe confidence

levels go up as people are empowered.”

That empowerment is happening is

confirmed by Traffic Officer, Ishwari

Harilall who comments “I have picked up

things I never knew before and this has

helped me to be a better examiner, that's

an honest fact. I love my job and just want

to save lives. This campaign makes me

happy.”

N3TC Incident Manager, Praveen

Sunderlall, is a big admirer of Patrick's

efforts. “I am so pleased that our paths

have crossed. The passion and the

preparedness which Patrick puts into

everything he does, blows me away - I

wish I had 10% of it. Through this

amazing initiative, so many lives have

been saved.” So often truckers are

taken for granted, but these are the

people who make our country work and a p

assio

n for

safe

ty

112 113

Patr

ick O

'Leary

who have a big influence on the safety

of our roads. In a world where it

seems that people are only interested

in taking what they can, it is wonderful

to come across people who are giving.

Despite his success, Patrick remains

humble. “There is no point getting carried

away with your importance as a journalist.

After reading our stories, someone will

use it to light a fire or put in the cat box –

even a front page lead story. That keeps

me grounded.”

Patrick's mum loved Jim Reeves (he

still has some of her record collection)

and he recalls his mad Irish father

playing his songs and bringing an

assortment of less fortunate folk over

to the O'Leary house for Sunday

He recalls his mad Irish father

bringing over an assortment of

less fortunate folk for Sunday lunches.lunches. It was an open house, traditionally Irish, based on the

philosophy that a life without giving is not a life. Surrounded by

family and friends, Patrick and Michelle continue the generous

hospitality, enriching lives with big smiles and warm welcomes.

“Once diesel is in your blood, you can't change what you do. I may be

61, but I only feel eighteen and there is still so much to do”, Patrick

concludes. Fortunately for the trucking industry, he has heaps of

energy and is excited about opportunities still to be developed.

There is no stopping him just yet.

114 115

I like to get to know individuals and it is

stunning to observe confidence levels go

up as people are empowered.

Patr

ick O

'Leary

116 117

Francois van Jaarsveld

acknow

ledgem

ents

118 119

Thank you very much to all who contributed time, photographs, comments and

information to make this celebration of our community heroes possible. In

particular:

Paul Van Uytrecht for editing

Christeen Grant; Nkululeko Mdladla; Karen Edwards ; Paul Herwood; Nkanyiso

Ndlela; Alex March; Philip Hull; Gerrie Steenkamp; Melissa Meiring; Matthew

Drew; Patrick O'Leary for photographs.

Photographers featured in the N3TC Calendars

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I

live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up

when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.

George Bernard Shaw

Research, Copy and Photography - Nikki Brighton - [email protected]

Design and Layout - [email protected] Sellschop

The smallest act of

kindnessis worth more than the

grandest intention.

Oscar Wilde

The N3 . . . more than a road.Susan van Zuilekom

120

www.n3tc.co.za

0800 N3 HELP0800 63 4357