A sad farewell to a Vaal Triangle mainstay

VANDERBIJLPARK – It was with sadness that the Vaal Triangle learned of the recent passing of well-known local businessman Mr Mike Woodroffe (76). Apart from being the owner of Calsibrick and Bophelong Bricks, he was for many years also actively involved in sport and community projects in the Vaal.

Mike was born in Essex, England, and attended Ilford High School where he collected trophies and medals for multiple sports achievements. In between playing sport, Mike’s favourite subjects were botany, chemistry and zoology.

After finishing school he worked for a steel components firm and had the opportunity to spend six months in South Africa. Returning to England with a love of our land, he followed the sun and moved to South Africa to start a new life.

During his six years in CNA Regional Management Mike studied through UNISA School of Business Leadership’s Advanced Executive Programme, with emphasis on Marketing. It was at CNA that he met the managing director’s executive secretary, Denise, who became his wife.

Mike’s studies had honed his entrepreneurial spirit and he left CNA in 1976 to start a business in Vanderbijlpark. Many people will remember Panther Paving and its bright pink vehicles. Delays in supply of bricks to sites led him to buy Calsibrick and a few years later, to open Bophelong Bricks.

With his love of sport he became involved in many local projects: As Chairman of Vaal Triangle Squash, Mike introduced regular weekly development squash coaching for schoolchildren, and organised popular tournaments for youngsters and adults. He was actively involved in Pinedene Primary School’s sports activities and after much pleading, Pinedene was granted permission to become the only primary school to enter a squash team into the secondary school squash league, with resounding success. Mike and a team of parents also turned Pinedene’s soccer team into worthy opponents.

The Woodroffe team’s community work was also wide-reaching: Hundreds of dogs were rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed, as were two tortoises. During Mike’s five-year stint on the Ward 5 Committee and for two years thereafter, he maintained Phoenix (Trim) Park using a tractor and cutter bought with his own funds.

Thousands of hardy, indigenous trees which he had grown were planted in developing areas in the Vaal. On Saturday, October 20, AfriForum planted 39 trees in Phoenix Park, of which 22 were planted in memory of Mike, donated by the Woodroffe family.

Mike’s sons say they will remember him for always being there for them at every soccer match and every local and interprovincial squash tournament. For his boys’ birthdays he memorably built mini soccer fields, Mini BMX courses, and tractor and trailer rides – but his family will always remember him for being their rock, their adviser and for teaching them to do the right thing.

“He was a quiet man, happy spending time with his family and in recent years playing soccer with his grandsons,” says a spokesperson for the Woodroffe family.
Mike is survived by his wife Denise, his sons Matthew and James, daughter-in-law Ina and grandsons Christian, Michael John and Brody.