LOUIS TRICHARDT – Well-known local businessman, Rodney Collett (51), passed away on November 6 after losing a courageous eighteen month battle against cancer.

Rodney, or Rod as he was better known, was born in Pietersburg and did the most of his primary schooling at Jeppe Prep in Johannesburg. He then went to Kingswood College in Grahamstown, during which time he was captain of the tennis team as well as the cricket team.

After matric, Rod went to Gwebi Agricultural College outside Harare for two years, before registering for an officer's course in the then Rhodesian Army. He fought in the Rhodesian Bush War and helped on the family farm in the Marula District outside Bulawayo.

In 1984 Rod moved to Louis Trichardt and started a transport company before venturing into the chicken retail business, micro lending and his last project the Luonde Mountain Lodge. He was a respected member of the community, not only through his time in the Rotary Club, where he was president in period 1989/90, but also in helping the rural community, as not only a micro lender, but as a financial advisor and friend to many clients who he helped out of financial problems.

Rod was buried at Luonde Mountain Lodge on Saturday. He is survived by his mother (Muriel), wife (Coral), three children (Calvin, Sean and Hazel), two sisters (Claudette and Carol) and brother (Darryl).

The family thanked all family, friends and the many residents of Louis Trichardt who prayed for Rod. The family's special thanks go to Gill, Lynne and Charmain for their unbelievable support.