ASSOCIATION NEWS

SHOP-SA was blessed to have a word wizard in the team who could compile and distribute our weekly newsletters and the monthly magazine! She found interesting and relevant news that she shared with our followers and used her skill as proof-reader and editor to make all of us in the office sound eloquently. As she leaves us this month, I want to wish her all of the best on the next part of her journey, which I am sure will be an exciting one! Thank you for the commitment and loyalty to SHOP-SA.

This month we bid farewell to our friend and co-worker, Leigh Richter, who joined the staff of shop-sa in 2015 as editor for the My Office magazine and website.

The years spent working with Leigh, whether in an office together, or remotely, have been an absolute pleasure. A more friendly, considerate and supportive person would be hard to find. Leigh’s ability to take our garbled text and with a few alterations, turn it into something that everyone else can understand, will always amaze us.

Leigh loves cooking, baking and gardening and is well travelled. She has visited approximately 35 countries around the word over the past 17 or so years. But her favourite destination remains her family home where her parents farm just outside of Bathurst in the Eastern Cape.

As you step out on your next adventure, just know that no matter where you go or what you do, we wish only the best for you. We may no longer be working together, but we will always still be friends.

We wish you well on the next step of your journey. So we will not say goodbye, but rather farewell and “totsiens”.

In September 2011, Hans Servas retired from Silveray and we published an article about him in My Office Magazine. As a result, we all know a bit about his professional career. Now that he is stepping down as Chairman of the Board, SHOP-SA used the opportunity to find out more about him.

Hans was born, bred and schooled near Stuttgart, in southern Germany. His favourite bands are The Eagles and The Beach Boys. He and his wife, Glenda, have two children; as you read this, they are getting ready to visit their daughter and her family in Berlin.

Here is more about Hans:

A The interaction with the Board members and various players in the industry.

A The lack of participation, and often apathy.

A The industry itself is very resilient; it has overcome many obstacles, and yet has managed to survive and thrive.

A Having been in semi-retirement just means we can not make up for lost time during COVID-19. We’re off to Germany in July to celebrate my 75th birthday with my family.

A Spending time in the bush; exploring the remoter parts of South Africa; travel in general; spending time with friends and family; playing golf; and finally, after COVID, be able to go to live concerts and the theatre again.

A Oh yes – but I will always be following developments and staying in touch with the many friends and ex-colleagues in the industry.

A There are still a few places I haven’t been to – it will depend on how time I have left! I’d love to, but will never, go sky-diving.

A Enjoy what you are doing, be it work or pleasure, and respect others.

A Sadly, no … !

A I’ve had a few great moments, but my 70th with just my family on a friend’s private island in the Java Sea tops the list.

A No politicians! Trevor Noah, BB King, Helen Mirren, Elon Musk and Warren Buffet.

A Cars have never been a priority. I enjoy my Fortuner and would stick to a 4x4.

A The “job jar” is probably filling up …

A I used to play bass in a “cover band” many moons ago, but still enjoy picking up my guitar and playing – its very relaxing! I love the ‘60s, rock, blues and soul.

A Stabilo Boss Highlighters!!

I met Hans during my interview with the Board and liked him immediately. Since my appointment, we have spent quite a bit of time in each other’s company and I learned a lot from him about the industry, the role players in the industry and Association. If one could bottle his knowledge and experience it would certainly become one of the biggest assets on the shelf for shopsa. The industry is close to his heart, and I know he would always want to stay informed about the goings on in the stationery industry. But we know that nothing lasts forever, and change is inevitable. As we enter a new era, I want to wish Hans many healthy years, safe travels and I hope that, from time to time, we will be able to catch up.

Hanlie Delport

It’s been an absolute privilege to have known and worked with Hans Servas as a supplier to the Office Active Group, and for the last 10 years as chairman of SHOP-SA.

Hans has always treated us fairly and never been shy to impart his industry knowledge with us and offer suggestions , along with support for our visions for the dealer group.

Hans remains the gentleman of the industry and we wish him many years of happiness , many kilometres of additional travel along with good health as he moves into retirement.

It’s been a privilege and honour to have known and worked with you in the industry Hans

We will never have another “Elvis” like Hans in the industry

I do have a wonderful memory of Hans

Flying home from Frankfurt after Paperworld one year, Hans and I flew home on an overfull plane in Cattle Class! I was very relieved that we ended up sitting together. As Hans was the equivalent of Stationery Royalty, I took full advantage to talk to him about his career and life.

After a few glasses of wine we became firm friends.

We will miss seeing Hans and hope that he always knows he is welcome to visit us at Trodat! Lyn van den Berg Sales & Marketing Director

Garry and Craig

Its hard to write something about a man who has been so integral to the South African Stationery Industry, for probably more than half a century.

My association with Hans extends back to the time he was MD of Silverray Co, often bumping him at the annual Paperworld show in Frankfurt, as he visited the various principals of the stationery agencies he had negotiated for and on behalf of his company. The products from these principals are amongst the most prominent in the trade today and continues to be great revenue and profit drivers for Silverray, long after Hans has retired from them.

I got to know Hans more intimately serving on the Board for Shop SA, where Hans became Chairman after his time with Silverray. It was here that I began to fully appreciate the institutional knowledge that he held of our trade, and how invested he was to retain the best interests of the industry and its members.

At meetings he was always well prepared, fully researched, and whose leadership of proceedings was passionate whilst accommodating opposing views.

Hans was always warm, engaging, with a firm handshake and a glint in his eye. enjoyed the many stories relayed about his time in the trade and adventures he had experienced on his business travels.

But now’s the time for Hans to take a break finally, after so many years of service to the purveyors of Office Products – from suppliers to wholesalers to retailers and end users.

I wish Hans and Glenda a wonderful rest and Bon Voyage on travels to come, locally and abroad.

The Stationery Industry will be poorer without him. He will be missed.

Clive Heydenrych

Managing Director

Our relationship with Hans goes back a long way to when he looked after Silveray in Durban. At the time, the envelope market was vibrant and there were many envelope factories in SA.

While Merpak was focussed on bespoke printed envelopes and Silveray on Stationery Envelopes, we did of course, bump into each other in the market from time to time.

Although Silveray was a formidable competitor, under Hans’s watch, it was fair and produced great quality work. We worked closely with Hans in developing apprentice training modules for our envelope adjusters and shared the same strategic thinking for the betterment of our industry. Of course, Hans had far greater responsibilities than just envelopes but he was always available to discuss and assist us with some of the technical and paper issues that we faced at the time.

Hans is a gentleman and he will look back on his career with pride. We thank him sincerely for the dedication to the broader stationery industry for so many years. He has made a difference!

Deon Joubert

I met Hans many decades ago at the old SA Printing College. As such, with both of us having a German background we exchanged a few thoughts on the Industry in general, particularly EMMSA matters and training council initiatives whenever we bumped into each other. The conversations were always enriching as it added to some ideas in ensuring that common thinking on a senior level in organisations always lead to fruitful discussions with the Silveray colleagues, when it came to developing Apprenticeship programs. When I reflect back today, it was the backbone of the Merpak and Silveray team that ensured defining the Curriculum of the current Apprenticeship status quo, with some input from other smaller market competitors.

As it so happened when our children joined the Deutsche Schule Johannesburg for High school education, we actually landed up enjoying a few bowling sessions together with common friends, besides meeting up at the German school beer fest where all parents are usually engaged in adding to the success of these events.

Wishing Hans ‘Alles Gute und viel Glück in Ruhestand, bleib gesund und munter.’

Peter Adelfang

Dear Hans I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a well-deserved retirement!

You have always worked very hard and your loyalty towards the stationery industry will always be remembered. Thank you for everything you have done for us! You will be missed a lot! Take care!!

Kindest Regards Yvonne xx

Hans Working with you over the past 29 years has been an absolute honour and pleasure.

You were always totally committed to your staff and the industry as a whole.

Your knowledge and more importantly, your ‘sharing’ of your knowledge was most welcome and appreciated.

So after a career in the office products industry, spanning in excess of 40 years, the time has come for you to take an extended holiday and to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Hans, THANK YOU my friend and may you and Glenda enjoy many more happy and healthy years in your travels.

Look after yourself, God bless and come past for a beer anytime that suits you.

Go well,

Allan and Team KOLOK

Hans was always one of those people that us youngsters looked up to when first entering the stationery market in the late 90’s, a lot of the other “statesmen” often felt unapproachable but Hans was always the one person who would put out his hand, greet you and make you feel welcome. We may not have had the closest of relationships over the years but for the brief conversations & small bits of advice given (even if he didn’t realise he was giving) I would like to say thank you and wish him all the best for the future.

Regards Gary Shrives Butterfly

I came into the industry when Hans was the MD at Statmark and then a few years later he took over at SSC.

My dealings with Hans were always at industry events and it is always very much the same memory. Repeated many times over.

I was young and relatively unknown but Hans always made the time to greet me and have a chat, always smiling, always friendly and forever encouraging. Hans took a real interest in people and especially in what they had to say. He lifted the mood in any room!

Great guy.

Steven Groenewold

To one of the most amazing people that I have the honour of knowing, who gave me an opportunity more than 30 years ago and because of Hans I have made my mark in the industry.

He is one of the most compassionate people that has crossed my path and I will always remember him. I would like to wish you Hans all the best – I know you are sad to bid the industry goodbye, but your contribution will always be remembered. Much love Boss from your one and only Tania in Cape town.

Regards Tania Jordaan Hans I think like a lot of folks I would have to get out an abacus to count the years we have known each other.

Thank you for your support, laughter, and company sometimes until the wee hours of the morning.

May your retirement be filled with fun, laughter for yourself and Glenda… Travel, explore and enjoy.

Wendy