A business pioneer of the region who made an indelible imprint on Louis Trichardt, Mr Sydney Schultz, passed away at the age of 86.

Mr Schultz’s family was woken up by his caregiver last Thursday (18th) in the early morning hours with the tragic news that he had fallen on the bathroom floor. Soon after he was pronounced to have died of natural causes.

“He was a very, very special and unbelievably humble man! Known widely as a true gentleman … My legendary father … My hero ... you live on forever ... for me and all of those who were fortunate enough to be 'touched' by you ... I love you, my Daddy,” his bereaved son, Mr Wally Schultz, posted on Facebook.

In the days when the retreading of tyres was virtually unheard of, Syd (as everyone called him) started S&S Retreaders in Krogh Street. “He grew the business and expanded to the mines and farmers. Buses would queue along the streets to have their tyres retreaded. Later he opened factories all over and became the biggest independent retreader in South Africa. He was a super successful but modest businessman,” says Wally. Syd built S&S Retreaders after he had sold the family business, a BP Service station called Mountain View, in the early sixties. The business was later renamed Mount Fuji.

Sydney John Schultz was born on 28 November 1929 to Charlie and Hester Schultz in Bethlehem. Hester was a direct descendant of Voortrekker leader Hendrik Potgieter. Sydney attended Potchefstroom Boys High School. His family moved to Louis Trichardt in the fifties. In 1954, Syd married Judith Wessels and brought his bride to Louis Trichardt. The couple had four children, Wally, Lynnette, Debbie and Delene.  

Together with other families, they formed the social hub in Louis Trichardt and hosted many parties. Syd was known to be extremely hospitable and he and Judy had an open house where everyone was welcome to eat and overnight. Some would even misuse his generosity. “A guy once disappeared with my dad’s imported golf clubs and my mom’s jewellery. My dad said, ‘Just let it go’. He was extremely generous and would be the first stop for charities and those raising funds. His motto was to give and give, believing that somehow it would come back to you. People were drawn to him like moths to a flame because of his integrity and giving heart,” Wally remembers.

Syd’s daughter Lynn passed away when she was 35 and he lost his wife in 2007 after 53 years of marriage.

“He was a hardworking businessman, a very honourable person and a good family man. I knew him very well, also as a Free Mason from the Lodge. Syd was ill for a couple of years, but he was a great asset to the community of Louis Trichardt,” said a family friend, Mr George Boyd.

Syd loved rugby and at an earlier stage played hooker for the Free State. He obviously loved golf and was very involved with the construction of the local golf club.

Syd is survived by his three children, grandchildren Hayley, Tiffany, Kylie, Wayne, Tracey, Cherie, Taryn, Jayson and Wesley and five great-grandchildren. His memorial service will take place on Friday, 26 February, at 11:00 in the Dutch Reformed Church Louis Trichardt (Haantjiekerk) on the corner of Erasmus and Burger Street. The service will be conducted by Reverend Robbie Novella.

Grandson Wayne Steyn would like to thank Dr Casper Venter and his grandfather’s caregivers, Sylvia and Pinky. Son Wally, on behalf of the children, thanked the community “who responded with such respect and compassion … and for all the hundreds of messages.”