Tzaneen mourns beloved Eddie Simpson
Tributes pour in for Tzaneen resident Eddie Simpson, a respected businessman, rally driver, and community leader who passed away at 80.
TZANEEN – Tributes have been pouring in following the passing of legendary Tzaneen resident and businessman, Eddie Simpson (80), on December 4.
Eddie was a man of many talents and roles: car dealership owner, rally driver, tennis player, community leader, husband, father, and grandfather. Eddie also held a brown belt in judo and was a junior instructor in the sport. In his earlier years, he also played rugby.
He moved to Tzaneen in 1971 at the age of 26. For the next 55 years, Tzaneen remained his home.
A life rooted in leadership and service
His leadership extended across numerous sectors. He served for many years as the chairperson of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) in Tzaneen. He founded Simpson Motors, once one of the region’s most prominent car dealerships.
A natural community leader, he was an active member of the Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce for decades, even serving as vice-chairperson at one stage.
At the time of his passing, he was still a committed member of the organisation.
His faith was central to his life. He was a long-standing member of the N.G. Kerk Tzaneen, where he served as a deacon for 12 years. He also chaired the Doornhoek Farming Community and served on the committee of Valencia Security Estate, among many other community engagements.
Rallying was one of his greatest passions. Earlier this year, shortly before the NTT Tzaneen Rally, he told the Herald that Tzaneen was his favourite place to compete. He described the Tzaneen Dam stages and the Politsi Canal route as “exhilarating,” ranking them among his personal favourites.
Eddie survived cancer a few years ago but was able to bounce back to live life fully.
A family man remembered with love and honour
The NTT Tzaneen Rally community also paid tribute on Facebook, writing: “Eddie has been part of the rally family for as long as many of us can remember. He will forever be remembered for his fierce competitiveness behind the wheel and his warm, gentlemanly, fun-loving nature outside of the car. Age was never a barrier for Eddie; he proved time and again that passion has no limits.”
Known affectionately as “Oom Eddie,” he leaves behind his wife, Henia, four children, Morné, Adele Potgieter, Michelle Lottering, and Chantelle Tattersall, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will take place on January 9.
