LOUIS TRICHARDT – One of the region's best known and respected businessmen, Yassin Hussain Ayob (better known as Charlie Ayob) died on Sunday following a heart attack.

His death came as a shock to the community where he was not only respected as a businessman, but also as a person who was very involved in various projects.

Yassin Ayob was born in Louis Trichardt on July 7, 1935. The family soon afterwards moved to Ottoshoop near Zeerust. He finished his school career in Zeerust and Mafeking before returning to Louis Trichardt in 1949.

For the first few years the young Charlie Ayob worked for the retail group, A Adam & Company. In the late fifties he started his own business selling fruit and vegetables. He gradually changed this business into a curtain shop and together with his brother worked hard to turn "Charlie's Den" into a household name. The first shop was situated in Trichardt Street in the centre of town.

In an interview conducted in 1995, Charlie Ayob recalled how he got involved in the motor industry. "It all started with a Volkswagen Beetle I sold to one of our customers," he remembered. Initially the selling of cars was done on a part time basis. The one car per month sold quickly changed to two, and then three and very soon a new business was established.

The first Ayob Motors was situated in Trichardt Street where CNA currently is, but he soon realised that this will not be enough. In 1977 he bought a site on the N1, but the construction work on the new garage only started four years later. The well-known landmark, Ayob Motors opened its doors in the new building in December 1981.

It was not only as businessman that Yassin Ayob left his mark in the community. Since 1965 he played an active role in the Muslim community and was chairman of the local Muslim Committee for fourteen years, from 1979 to 1993. He was also a member of the Indian Association from 1969 to 1985.

He was an enthusiastic sports lover, especially as far as soccer and cricket were concerned. He took part in both sports and when he could no longer actively take part in the sports, he followed it with great dedication.

A good friend of his, Mr Solly Noor, recalls that Yassin Ayob always played an active role in public and family affairs. "He was a good-hearted, modest, humble and caring person," he says.

He leaves behind his wife, Halima, his two sons, Faizal and Hussain, his two daughters, Fatima and Yasmin as well as seven grandchildren.