Watchmaker Wolfgang is mourned
The family is immensely grateful to their friends and the South Coast community for the outpouring of condolences and support they have received.
South Coast businessman Wolfgang Schwarz (61) was killed and his wife, Kerstin Christiansen (58) injured in a motorcyle accident on the Izotsha road on Thursday evening last week.
Wolfgang, Kerstin and their elder son, Deni (38) are well known to the community as the faces behind the counter at Time Centre in the Southcoast Mall.
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The couple’s younger son, Marcus lives in Cape Town.
Wolfgang locked up shop as usual and he and Kerstin were on their way home on their motorcycle when tragedy struck.
A collision involving two light motor vehicles and their motorcycle changed the family’s life forever.
Wolfgang was declared dead at the scene by paramedics, while Kerstin was taken to hospital.
She was discharged last Sunday, and is recovering well.
“It’s a miracle our mother is alive,” said Deni.
Kerstin, qualified as a watchmaker in 1979 after three years of studies, and went on to achieve her masters in 1983.
In 1985, they opened ta shop in the small east German town of Burgstaedt.
With her love for the intricate parts of time measurement, Kerstin specialised in the repair and servicing of watches.
After qualifying in 1987, Wolfgang joined his wife in the shop.
In 1999 the couple decided to emigrate to South Africa, settling in Margate.
They resumed their trade, working from home before moving to premises in the Margate CBD in 2003.
They moved shop to the Southcoast Mall in 2005 and in 2006, Deni joined the family business.
Deni told the Herald that he would carry on his father’s legacy.
The shop is currently closed to allow the family time to grieve, but will reopen in due course.
The family is immensely grateful to their friends and the South Coast community for the outpouring of condolences and support they have received.
Wolfgang will be laid to rest at St John’s Lutheran Church in Shelly Beach on Saturday, August 17 at 1pm.
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