FOR 52 years, Martin Kopsch has been a familiar face at La Lucia Mall. Now celebrating his 80th birthday, the master craftsman reflects on a remarkable journey that began thousands of kilometres away in Vienna, Austria, and led him to a life he could never have imagined in South Africa.

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Arriving in South Africa in 1968, Kopsch initially settled in Johannesburg. But it wasn’t long before Durban captured his heart.

“I came down to Durban and said, ‘This is it,'” he recalled. “I love Durban, the beach, the lifestyle. I’ve had a fantastic life in South Africa that I would never have been able to have in Europe.”

Today, Kopsch remains active in the business he has dedicated his life to. While many people his age have long since retired, he still designs and creates some jewellery and remains deeply involved in the day-to-day running of his business.

“I live for my business,” he said.

Ironically, jewellery was never part of Kopsch’s original life plan. As a young man, he dreamed of becoming a game ranger in Austria. It was his mother who encouraged him to pursue a career as a jeweller.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My mother coached me into the jewellery business,” he said. “I was the first jeweller in the family, and I’m glad I listened to my mom.”

That decision shaped the rest of his life.

Starting out as a goldsmith, Kopsch built a successful career crafting fine jewellery. But his greatest achievement came when he identified an opportunity that few others had seen.

“My biggest success was going into silver,” he said.

At a time when silver jewellery was not widely established in South Africa, Kopsch pioneered the retail silver market, opening multiple stores and helping create demand for a product he remains passionate about today.

“Silver has always been my passion.”

The move from gold to silver was motivated by more than just business instincts. As crime became a growing concern, working with silver offered a safer alternative.

“I became afraid of getting robbed because of the gold,” he explained.

Over the decades, Kopsch expanded his business footprint, operating numerous stores in Durban’s CBD while maintaining his long-standing presence at La Lucia Mall. Through changing fashions, economic cycles and evolving consumer tastes, he adapted and persevered.

Looking back on eight decades of life, Kopsch believes the secret to staying motivated is surprisingly simple.

“I just carry on from day to day. I take life one day at a time.”

That philosophy has helped him navigate both triumphs and challenges. While he is grateful to have reached the milestone age of 80, he acknowledged that growing older comes with its own realities.

“I’m happy to have reached this age, but you become wary of the aches and pains. Your health isn’t what it used to be. The hardest part is losing friends and family.”

Yet his gratitude far outweighs any regrets.

“Reaching 80 is a huge achievement. I think of all the young people who never get the chance.”

When asked what life has taught him over the years, his answer reflects the resilience that has defined his journey.

“You have to take everything in your stride.”

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