
SECUNDA – From being an executive chef to working for the circus to working as a marketing manager for Langamed South Medical Services, Mr Robin Tapinos (50) has done it all.
He was born in Boksburg, grew up in Durban and began working for a big hotel group after school where he learnt nearly everything there is to know about the hospitality business.
“I worked from the front office to the kitchen,” he said.
He decided to change careers after five years and left the hotel group as an executive chef.
Mr Tapinos then joined a big movie house and had to close old small cinemas and open new bigger ones throughout South Africa.
He later worked for a big chain store and opened new stores and also did the staff training and client services training.
During this time he travelled all over the country.
He then worked for various circuses and worked as a marketing manager.
“We toured the whole Southern Africa and I saw Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland,” said Mr Tapinos.
He worked on the cruise ship Achille Laro for six months and was responsible for the children’s entertainment and games on deck.
The ship sailed between Durban, Cape Town and the Bazaruto Islands.
However the Achille Laro sank in the Mediterranean Sea later.
His career in the medical business began when he left the circus industry and moved to Polokwane where he worked as a marketing manager for a medical company.
He has also worked for the Northern Blood Transfusion Service before he moved to Johannesburg.
Mr Tapinos enjoys a challenge and he then worked for a company who did medical flights throughout Africa.
He finally moved to Secunda about two years ago and apart from his job, he is involved at the blood service and Cansa.
He has donated a total of 165 units of blood in eight provinces.
He also helps in organising charity events.
His motto in life is to help society and to try to make a difference in somebody’s life every day.
“Do not tell me it cannot been done, then I will do it.
“Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it,” he said.
Mr Tapinos has been married to Ms Isabella Tapinos for the past nine years and he enjoys cooking and reading in his free time.