What started with trading tins of corned beef for military badges during his military service on the South African border has grown into a collection spanning nearly four decades for Roodepoort resident Hennie Benett.

Hennie’s passion for military memorabilia began in 1986 while serving at a South African border camp, where he was in charge of one of the vehicle divisions and regularly interacted with soldiers from 32 Battalion.

“I worked with 32 Battalion soldiers, and when they came to book out tyres for their vehicles, I would initiate trades with them. For instance, I would offer a tin of corned beef for a badge,” he said.

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Those early trades sparked what would become a lifelong hobby.

“Eventually, we graduated from corned beef, and I started offering cash as well whenever I had some on hand. R5 was a lot of money in those days.

“One day, I happened to be at a flea market and came across some flashes, which I just had to have.

“It all just spiralled from there, and today I am more avid about collecting than ever, though I’ll have to make more space for my collection again soon.”

Now retired after a career as a vehicle accident assessor, Hennie has not only expanded his collection over the years but has also earned extra income by selling duplicate memorabilia at markets across Gauteng.

He said he is fortunate that his wife shares his love of visiting markets and auctions, although their collecting interests differ.

Among the thousands of items in his collection are several that hold particular sentimental value.

“Of course, my father’s military items hold a special place for me,” he said.

“I also have a signed SWAPO [South West Africa People’s Organisation] military flag which was confiscated by special forces operators from an enemy airport.

“I’ve been offered in excess of R25 000 for it, but I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.”

Hennie said there is a thriving international market for military memorabilia.

“I have sold medallions for more than R30 000 each.

“There are avid collectors from all over the world who offer absurd prices for some items, but I’ll only sell those items which I have an excess of.”

Over the years, his collection has expanded to include police memorabilia and artefacts from other conflicts.

“It’s a lifetime’s worth of work,” he said as he looked over the extensive collection, for which he has already built an additional room onto his house.

Laughing, he added, “Maybe one day when I go on pension again, I’ll build another room.”

Hennie is confident his collection will remain in good hands one day, as one of his two sons has inherited his passion for military memorabilia.

His passion will soon reach a wider audience when he appears on the popular kykNET programme Kwêla next month as part of its collaboration with the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch’s Love Your Neighbourhood series, which celebrates interesting and inspiring members of the community.