TRIBUTE-Peter Stoppel: Attorney at law, Zulu linguist at heart.

The South Coast is mourning the death of one of its most popular sons, Peter Stoppel (70).
He died last Saturday after a short illness, leaving a huge void in the community.

An attorney by profession, Peter was also a member of various clubs, including Margate and Port Shepstone country clubs and the Lions Club of Port Shepstone, Southern Natal Nomads, where he served in various leadership roles over the years.

During his latter years he also provided music for various projects, fundraisers and socials.
He was particularly passionate about providing music for senior citizens projects, ensuring he played music they were familiar with.

At Lions’ meetings, Peter would stand in as the ‘tailtwister’ during meetings, fine members for various indiscretions and entertain members with his wonderful sense of humour.
He was also resident DJ during the last three Lions’ Shows and responsible for organising all the live bands for the 2016 Lions’ Show.

Peter was a much loved and highly respected member of the club and he will be sorely missed.
Peter was a direct and proud descendant (fourth generation) of Reverend Peter Stoppel, who came down by ox wagon from Hermansburg Mission Station to start a mission station in an area which he named Marburg after his home town in Germany.

Peter’s father (also Peter) and mother had four children. Peter has three sisters.
In 1953, when Peter was one-year-old, his father died.
Peter’s mother managed to farm and make a living with the help of her induna Makenisi (Boetie).
Boetie, who was Peter’s mentor, assisted him to become a fluent Zulu linguist.

In line with family tradition the children were schooled at the little farm school, now known as Izotsha Primary, where their ancestors had been learners.

In 1963, two changes took place in Peter’s life, his mother married an Englishman and their little world as children was ‘ invaded’ by Beatle Mania.
Liverpool became the source of everything.

No more were they singing German songs nor speaking their mother tongue that often.
The ultimate insult to Peter’s music teacher, a staunch German by the name of Frau Schwacke, is when her son and Peter would play Roll over Beethoven on the music centre.

He was head boy at Southern Natal High School in 1970 which was a great honour as this was the year the new buildings came into being.

Peter started his working career on December 7, 1970 at the offices of the Bantu Affairs Commissioner, Port Shepstone, but by the following month he found himself in Eshowe, Zululand, as there was not a permanent post in Port Shepstone.

In June 1971 Peter attended a one year instructor’s course at Heidelburg Gymnasium and six months after completing the course was transferred to Ladysmith Army Camp.
On his return to Eshowe, he met his first love, Beryl Freeman.

Not long thereafter he was transferred to the Bantu Affairs Commissioner’s Offices in Pietermaritzburg where he was able to start in part time studies with Natal University.
He had permission from his work to attend lectures every afternoon.
He completed his first degree four years later with Zulu as one of his majors, followed by an LLB post graduates law degree in the following three years.

In the meantime, Beryl had followed Peter to Pietermaritzburg and they got married.
Unfortunately, this marriage did not work out.
After completing his studies Peter joined Randel Davis and Woods as an articled clerk. This was a big move for him although it involved a huge reduction in salary.

After qualifying as an attorney Peter was offered a partnership with the same firm, but declined as he had a yearning to return home and improve the living conditions for his mother and step-father.
Towards the end of 1984 Peter joined the firm Kent and Kent in Margate.

He had recently met Theresa Verster, sister to Jesse Verster. She agreed to relocate with him.
Whilst with Kent and Kent, Peter was encouraged to join Margate Country Club where he soon became a passionate golfer.
At that time he also joined PSCC as a dual member.

At Margate Country Club Peter was actively involved with serving on the executive committee, golf committee and chairing various disciplinary hearings. He performed similar functions at PSCC.
Theresa and Peter married in 1987 and had two children, Donovan and Jessica.

At the beginning of the 1990s Peter moved his law practice to Port Shepstone. It was during this period that Theresa and Peter divorced.

The happiest period of Peter’s life was shortly thereafter. He got together with Antoinette where all their children became a priority.

He became an amazing father to Anni’s children Nicole and Clint and grandfather to Tristan, Oliver and the twins Daniel and Colt.
Nosipho Mbili was part of their family from when she was three years old and schooled with Jessica. She is now a teacher who blessed him with another grandchild, Ndalo.

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