Post in here for the 70's!

[Gerrit Venter]

Hi Guys
Yes it is my Dad,
Interesting how, when you are uninformed, you can be cruel!
Sorry to end the gossip and speculation with the truth, he was very healthy right to the end of his life. After retirement he continued working until the age of 70 and died on the 28th December 2003 at the good age of 87 of natural causes.

One thing I can say of him he never had a bad word about anybody, including staff and all the kids and at many a time did he speak of how proud he was of "His Kids"

May his sole rest in peace, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather!

Regards

Gerrit (now an old toppie)

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Gerrit, that is how I remember both your parents....

Your mother was my class teacher when I was in Std 3.  During one of our mad dashes on the playground, I had a full 'head-on' collusion with a boy that left me lights out and bleeding all over the place.  Did not tell my parents about the incident and went to play some kind of sports after school.  When I got back home, your mother was visiting my parents.  My first thought was  -  in trouble you are, Dalene!  No, the purpose of her personal visit was to come and find out if I had told my parents that I had been unconcious at school and she wanted to find out if I was okay.

I will never forget that in my life  -  only later did I realize how special it was.  She did not pick up the phone:  no, she went to the lengths of getting in her car and driving from your house to personally come and see my parents.  Where in this world will you find something like that today?

Yes, your parents were true gems and we share your pride as part of the big family in their "kids" category. 

Thank you for sharing your memories of them with us.

[Diana Rudd (Boehme)]

Doc Venter goes way back to the 60's when I was in primary school.

[Bertie Horak]

Thanx Gerrit.  I agree with Dalene.  I was very sad when they left.  Your Mom was my teacher in Std 3 as well - the year they left.  What a sad day that was!!!!  It was so nice when we kids ran into them on our way to the Eisteddfod in Windhoek after that.  Probably the most hugs they got in one day! 

[Susan Bezuidenhout]

Hi, you all, yes Doc Venter was a special headmaster, there is this one actor, and every time I see this guy in a movie I think of Doc Venter...yeah and most teachers today are not what they used to be, in it because they care not because of the salaries.....

[SandyB]

Just picked up on this one  .. miss a lot at times ... and yes Gerrit ..  thanks for putting all into perspective .. your dad and mom were dedicated  and caring  folk ..  and yes good  educators ...   Dr Venter and Mrs Venter were absolute stars  in the  sky ...

          Regards .. Sandy Buchanan

[bobbysmith]

hi gerrit,i remember your mom and dad very well,i was born in om and started school when your parents were at ops as headmaster and teacher,i knew your sister too,did you go on to work for saa,i recall flying back from sa in the early 80s and you were a chief steward on my flight,got loads of free drinks,dankie broer,if i remember correctly,your pop was a member of the moths,great and fond memories of the man[only ever got the cane twice from him]remember the intercom system in all the classrooms,if you were summond to go to doc fenters office,you knew you had been caught,you got carrots,very fair and honest man,i am sure he didnt hit me as hard as the others because my dad was a moth too,ha ha,i hope i am not confusing you with marious,what was your sisters name'she was in the same standard as me,well my friend,heres hoping you and your family are well and safe,take good care brother,love and best wishes for christmas from the uk ,god bless

[Michael Alexander]

Hahahaa! Trust Bobby to be able to find an ex Oranjemunder to ply him with free drinks at 30 000 feet!

[Patricia(nee)Lineker]

Hello all!!

Back to Johannda's netball photo

Back row Johanda, (me) Patricia Lineker, Lolita van der Merwe, Ruth Claasen
Sitting : Brigitte van Aswegen, teacher?? Karen Laubser, Mr Dickenson (I think) and ??

Gosh it does bring back memories!!

Oh and by the way GO RHODES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers Patricia

[georg ruf jr.]

Lolita van de Merwe? Did she have a brother called Carl or so? Must be about 45 or 46 now.

Yeeeeeaaaaahhh!!!! Rhodes!!!
 

[Delia]

Hi Georg - yes, Lolita's brother was Charl - their dad was in Loss Control i think. Lolita was with me and Patricia in std 5.

[georg ruf jr.]

Do you know what Charl is doing today? I remember him being the pal of the late Carl van Greunen.
By the way. He was the person I ever first of the records "Wish You Were Here" and "Dark Side Of The Moon". Probably among the best albums ever recorded.

[Delia]

No idea what he's up to.  Patricia might know.

Pink Floyd, The Wall......."We don't need no education"........our national anthem at the youth club back in the day.  Yup, with the "brilliantly twisted" mind of genius Roger Waters, i think i can 2nd that about them producing some of the best music ever.  Dark Side of the Moon - awesome album.

[Richard Opperman]

Yes Gerrit, we are all old toppies now, father time waits for no one.

I remember your father mostly, not to sure if your mom was teaching when we were at school?

Your father I remember was a very stricked but fair man and agree never had a bad word for any one.
A good listener when it came to his teachers and students,certainly did not preach hell and fire when you misbehaved.

Keep well. 

[Patricia(nee)Lineker]

Hi there George

I still have contact with Lolita (p.s. for Delia - she is expecting TRIPLETS very soon - yes, first babies at the ripe old age of 44) and her brother Charl.  He is well and living in George at the moment (he never married) - if anyone would like a contact number I will happily e-mail them privately.  Their Dad, Charl, passed away tragically in a motor car accident some 15 or more years ago.  Aunty Iris (who some may remember as the library "tannie") is also well and living in George.

Love this site!!

Go RHODES!!!! WHO ARE, WHO ARE, WHO ARE WE? WE ARE, WE ARE CAN'T YOU SEE? R-H-O-D-E-S!!!!