‘A stitch of love and success’

Business pioneer, dress maker and well-loved South Coast resident Rani Naicker (70) of Port Shepstone died on July 24.

Amidst the difficulty prior to the country’s democracy and before women became active players in the market place, Rani persevered and established herself as a renowned entrepreneur in the ’80s.

She was the proud owner of the Bridal Boutique, Fashion Fantasy.

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She pulled through a thread of love, motivation and compassion to her customers and was never too busy to lend an ear to people in distress.

The last 40 years of her life were spent in Port Shepstone.

Often she was offered the chance to relocate to Gauteng for business opportunities – and to be with her son – but her love for the South Coast and its people outweighed that idea.

Rani eventually closed her business in more recent years and followed her next passion, which was to assist children and workers from other towns with accommodation as they worked and schooled in Port Shepstone.

She invested her life savings into her home at Oslo Beach, literally tiled the floors, built some of the walls and painted the house to ensure this home was ready to be shared with people in need, those wanting to establish themselves in the town, as she once did 40 years ago.

She loved her home and the purpose it had in changing lives, and even during her battle with illness, she requested to be at rest in her home and among her tenants.

A humble and God fearing businesswoman, her story of perseverance, hard work, determination and love for people will live on as her legacy,

Her children will continue to maintain her home as a haven to new and existing residents in Port Shepstone.

She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughter, daughters-in-law. son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

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