Self-confessed ‘yapper’ Debbie Potgieter’s sunny disposition often lingers long after she’s said her customary “see you then”.
As the Administrator at Shepstone Place Home for the Aged, Mrs Potgieter has become a familiar face in the community and is often called on for her professional and personal support.
She grew up in a small town called Riversdale near Cape Town and went on to begin her school life in Worchester after her parents divorced when she was ten-years-old.
When Mrs Potgieter relocated to Estcourt to complete her grades 11 and 12, she met her soul mate, Marius.
The pair were married and moved to Stellenbosch where Mrs Potgieter acquired more knowledge on administration and bookkeeping.
Her eldest daughter Salome (now 18) was born there before the family returned to Estcourt.
Their family grew when Karina (now 8) was born.
For Debbie and Marius, family time is an essential adhesive to keep families close and one may often find the couple working side by side in their garden. Debbie loves roses and has 80 rose trees; Marius enjoys pottering around in his veggie garden.
“My husband is my best friend, he is my everything. I can always bounce ideas off him and he’s always been there for me. I believe that respect is very important because out of respect comes love. Both my daughters are such a joy and we love spending time together. My in-laws have also been very supportive and are like my own parents,” said Mrs Potgieter.
She says that living in a small town fosters close families because there aren’t many recreational opportunities available.
On the work front, it is obvious that Mrs Potgieter enjoys what she does and whom she works with.
She has learnt much from Chairlady Sheryl Lane and calls her a role model.
“When I first started at the Home in 2009, the number of residents was down and the establishment couldn’t survive financially. With Sheryl’s help, I worked hard to increase the numbers and last year for the first time we have a waiting list for all sections at Shepstone Place. We are now more financially stable. This is one of my biggest achievements,” recalls Debbie.
She also assists with the Home’s other major fundraising events like the Soup Evening, Christmas in July and Garden and Flower Show.
But it’s not just administration that waits for her when she unlocks her office door every morning.
Mrs Potgieter has to often become a confidant.
“I always say ‘treat old people how you want to be treated’ and sometimes I go into their rooms and just listen, we have become friends. Working here has taught me to appreciate life. Don’t take people in your life for granted,” she concludes.