Closed (well, almost!) for business – after 40 years
From humble beginnings, Abrie Spies has over the decades contributed much towards the development of the coast.
Forty years ago, Abrie Spies (91) and his wife, Sarah (84) opened what has since become one of the oldest letting agencies on the South Coast. And after four decades in the business, the couple has finally (well, kind of) retired.
Abrie’s busy estate and holiday letting business – Abrie Spies Estates – recently amalgamated with Just Properties in Uvongo.
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However, the couple has not stepped away entirely and have kept open a small office, next door to the main office. The interior of the new office has been beautifully decorated by their daughter Esme Klopper.
This office will open for a few hours a day, and will continue to be a place where Abrie and Sarah’s friends can pop in for a chat and a cup of coffee.
The happy couple, who met on the dance floor 64 years ago, live in Uvongo and are extremely proud of their four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
“Life is what you make of it, and we have lived a happy family life,” said Sarah.
From humble beginnings, Abrie over the decades has contributed towards the development of the coast.
When they first came to the South Coast, they farmed in Hibberdene then in the Oribi area but with Abrie’s knowledge of the industry, he began to help out with selling agricultural land.
This eventually led him to join forces with another well-known former South Coast businessman, estate agent and developer, Faan Bester.
One of Abrie’s biggest projects was a huge campaign to get the department of education to build an Afrikaans high school on the South Coast, and today he is proud of his role as a founder of Suid-Natal High. He is also a founder member of the NG Church, Margate.
The couple has always been very involved members of Margate Dutch Reformed Church, and in Abrie’s spare time he is a talented piano accordion player.
And only at the remarkable age of 90 did he hang up his golf clubs.
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