Coxwell Steyn Vise Naude_100 years

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ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE A legal story that began a century ago One hundred years ago, in 1918, Edward Alexander Rooth, who had been admitted as an attorney and notary the year before, left his father’s firm and moved to Louis Trichardt where he established a legal practice in his name that has continued to this day.

Although he was very active in politics as a member of parliament from 1933 to 1943, Eddie, as he was known, remained in the practice until his death in 1952.

In 1932, Eddie was joined by Harry Coxwell, who had recently been admitted as an attorney, and the firm became known as Rooth and Coxwell.

Harry was well known and respected as an able attorney and gentleman and a person of integrity. He was a keen Rotarian and past president of the Louis Trichardt Rotary Club, as well as a Master of the Lion of the North Freemasons Lodge in Louis Trichardt. He was away from the firm for some years on military service during the Second World War and released from service in 1946. Harry continued in practice as a partner until his retirement in 1977.

Pieter de Vaal did his articles with the firm Rooth and Coxwell from 1942 to 1947 when he was admitted as a

professional assistant.

In 1950, he became a resident partner in Messina but started his own practice after the death of Eddie Rooth in 1952. He Celebration time! The team from Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé about to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this prestigious law subsequently returned firm in Louis Trichardt. to Louis Trichardt Mr H T Frans, known as Tickey, a 1984. Ranald is still a partner and his still with the firm as a Professional to conduct his own nephew of Harry Coxwell’s, did his field of practice is mainly in conveyAssistant and runs the Bond Departpractice here. articles with the firm and was admitted ancing, commercial contracts, drafting ment, which is on the Panel of all four In 1953, shortly after the death of as an attorney in 1956. In 1958, he was of wills and deceased estates. He has major banks.

Eddie Rooth, Harry was joined by made a partner and remained in pracbeen senior partner/director at the firm In 1989, the name of the firm was Roelf Steyn and the firm’s name was tice until he resigned in 1979. Tickey since the retirement of Roelf in 1989. changed to include the names of all the changed to Coxwell & Steyn. Roelf was active in the Anglican church, André Naudé started his articles partners and became Coxwell, Steyn, proved himself a very able attorney, where he played the organ at Sunday with the State Attorney’s office in Pre- Vise & Naudé. The firm was incornotary and conveyancer and was services. toria but ceded them to Roelf in 1983. porated to become Coxwell, Steyn, widely respected by both friend and Johan Steyn (no relation of Roelf After being admitted as an attorney in Vise & Naudé Inc. and Ranald Vise, foe. In litigation circles he was known Steyn) joined the firm in 1977 as a 1984, André was admitted as a partner Johan Steyn and André Naudé became as “the silver fox” - a compliment professional assistant. He was admiton 1 July 1984. directors. to his shrewdness. Apart from his He is still a director and his field of The original offices of the firm were profession, Roelf’s passion in life was ted as a partner in March 1980. He is still a director and his field of practice practice is mainly in High Court Litiin Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt, on golf. He was a very competent player is mainly magistrate’s court litigation, gation, labour law, commercial work, a site next door to the present Hanand was known for his courtesy and lon building where Imperial Motors sportsmanship. For many years he was collections, third party (RAF) matters, notarial work and deceased estates. and Regional and High Court litigaPauline Steyn came to work for the is now situated. In 1958, Harry and actively involved in the management tion. firm in 1992.

Roelf built the first part of the new of the Louis Trichardt club as golf Ranald Vise joined the firm in FebWhile she worked for the firm, offices where Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & captain and club president. He was a Naudé Inc. are now situated. Various former club champion and became an ruary 1979 as a professional assistant. Pauline studied law and was articled He was admitted as a partner in March to Ranald. She qualified and was extensions were subsequently done to honorary member. Roelf retired from 1980, at the same time as Johan Steyn. admitted as an Attorney in 2005 and the building. the practice in 1989 but remained a He was admitted as a conveyancer in as a Conveyancer in 2007. Pauline is consultant for several years.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

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Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

Political differences may have caused the birth of a legal firm in the most northern parts of SA The birth of the law firm Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé a century ago may have been the result of a family disagreement over politics, which caused a young lawyer, Edward Rooth, to move to a small, developing town in the north of the country.

Edward Alexander Rooth was the son of Edward Isac Rooth, a very well-known attorney from Pretoria. Rooth (Sr) was the founding member of the law firm Rooth & Wessels, which still exists and after some temporary changes still practices under the same name. It was started in November 1887 in the Cape Colony but moved office to Pretoria soon afterwards. At the time, Rooth (Sr) was one of the most prominent legal representatives in the country. He was also well connected in political circles and spoke Dutch, English and French fluently. Prior to the start of the Anglo Boer War, he formed part of a delegation that tried to convince ZAR president Paul Kruger not to engage in military conflict with Britain.

In 1906, Rooth (Sr) was elected as candidate of the “Het Volk” party and represented the constituency in Pretoria West as member of the Legislative Council (upper house). After the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, the Het Volk party amalgamated with the South African Party (SAP) and Rooth formed part of the leadership corps. He won his constituency in 1915 and in 1920 and was, among other positions, the Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly. He died in December 1928 and the eulogy at his funeral was read by General Jan Smuts. Another interesting fact is that Rooth (Sr) helped establish the Law Society of the Transvaal on 19 October 1892.

Edwards Alexander Rooth (Jr) was the oldest of his four children, born on 10 May 1892. After finishing school, he decided to pursue a career in law. He completed his articles at his father’s firm, Rooth & Wessels, and was admitted as an attorney on 30 March 1917. He and his father, however, did not share the same political views and in 1918, at the age of 26, he moved to Louis Trichardt to start his own legal practice.

The young attorney gradually got involved in politics, albeit at first at local level. In 1932, he was elected as mayor of Louis Trichardt and a year later he was the National Party candidate who won the Soutpansberg seat during the national election.

The early 1930s were marked by political alliances and in 1934 Rooth joined the United Party. In the 1938 election he stood as United Party candidate and beat the National Party’s SW Spies with 2 386 votes against 1 686. A year later, he joined Genl Hertzog when the latter resigned from the United Party, but he remained a member of the House of Assembly until 1943. He died on 19 August 1952.

Krogh Street The first office of the legal practice was situated in Krogh Street, opposite where the Post Office currently is.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

From Boy Scout to navy officer to top lawyer and active community leader Henry Franz (Tickey) was the fourth partner to join the law firm, by that time known as Coxwell & Steyn.

The young Tickey went to school in Johannesburg at Parktown Boys High School. He was very active in the Boy Scouts and became a first-class Scout and was awarded the Kings Scout badge.

In 1943 (after matriculating), he joined the Department of Justice where he worked for the Magistrate’s offices in Johannesburg. In 1944 he joined the SA Naval forces. He completed his basic training at Saldanha Bay and was later

seconded to the Royal Navy and was posted to Simons Town. He saw active service in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Ceylon, Bay of Bengal and specifically patrolling the Burmese and Malayan coastline on anti-aircraft and anti-submarine duties until VJ (Victory over Japanese) day, August 1945. In August 1946, he moved back to Johannesburg where he was demobilised. He returned to the Magistrate’s offices in Johannesburg, where he served as a clerk of the court. He was later transferred to internal relief and when someone went on leave he substituted for them.

This proved to be very useful later in his career

Harry Coxwell (left) walking alongside a young Tickey Franz dressed in his Boy Scout uniform. The photo is dated November 1940. Tickey Franz was the son of Jean Franz, sister of Harry Coxwell.

as he gained experience in many different parts of the court. While in Johannesburg, he played rugby for Pirates.

At the end of 1950, his father and Harry Coxwell persuaded him to join Rooth and Coxwell in Louis Trichardt to serve articles under Edward Rooth until his death in 1952 and subsequently under Harry Coxwell.

Tickey was admitted as an attorney in 1956.

In about 1958, Tickey became a junior partner of the firm that was then called Coxwell & Steyn (which was now situated on the corner of Trichardt and Munnik Street). He practiced as an attorney until the end of 1979.

During this time in Louis Trichardt, he became the founder chairman of the Round Table (in 1966, when the club was started with about nine members - Frank Oldrieve, Kitt Sutton, etc.). He also was a founder member of the Louis Trichardt Country Club, where he initially played golf and subsequently played bowls in the bowling section (in about 1966), where he was president for two years.

He loved music and was the organist in the Anglican church - St Marks - and he also served on the church council. He was a founder member of the Moths Turbi Hills Shellhole. He played tennis socially and played cricket for the Bushveld Cricket Club.

In 1979, he left Louis Trichardt and moved

The late Henry (Tickey) Franz. to Pretoria where he took up an appointment with MacRobert, de Villiers and Hitge (a firm of attorneys). In October 1981, Tickey took up an appointment as legal adviser at the South African Bureau of Standards.

Tickey officially retired in December 1989, although he remained active with the Bureau on a contractual basis. He died in Pretoria in October 1998. (The information was supplied by one of his sons, Peter Franz)

Tickey Franz was a very enthusiastic bowls player and founder member of the Louis Trichardt Country Club. This is a picture of the LTT bowling team playing at a tournament in Pretoria.

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Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE “Harry Coxwell was a wonderful For a century CSVN has been much more than just person with a massive heart” In 1932 the practice welwas formed. Harry Coxwell Harry Coxwell served as a legal friend in need comed a new attorney, Hen- formed part of this battalion an attorney for more than 45 ry Robert Gordon Coxwell, that fought in the North Africa years, only retiring in Septem-

Sampie Phaswana.

Hennie Erwee.

Luke Enslin.

Walter Gilfillan.

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the audit of two of my businesses.

André Naudé impressed me on more than one level, and it is easy to see why he has such a good reputation.

His interactions that I have seen with everyone from security guards to the judiciary have been unfailingly humble and polite. His values, ethics, and code of conduct are why I would do business with him any time.”

Another client, Mark Pakkiree said, “I have dealt with André Naudé for seven years and I must say that not only is he extremely professional, but also very kind and friendly. At a point when I was experiencing a tough time I truly appreciated some warm words from him which greatly encouraged me.”

Well-known businessman, Solly Noor, says that a relationship between a client and lawyer spans several generations. “Our family have been clients of the firm since 1958,” he recalls. “My late father, Mansuli, was a very good friend of Roelf Steyn. Personally, I worked closely with Ranald Vise and consider him to be a good friend.” For him it is all about the trust between the client and the attorney.

Legal dealings are mostly confidential and not all people would want to be associated publicly with their lawyers, but the many people in the community of Louis Trichardt who have had dealings with these attorneys were happy to share their opinions.

Luke Enslin of Spar wanted to congratulate them on their centenary celebrations. “Thank you so much,” he said, “for the professional service over the past fourteen years!”

“The company is a known friend and has been a server of the community on more than one occasion,” said Mrs Inga Gilfillan. “Including for their work on the town name change case. We are grateful for André Naudé’s efficiency, his accuracy, and his always being on time. We are thankful for him and for Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naude personally and as the friends of Louis Trichardt that they have proved to be.”

more commonly known as campaign in 1941 and 1942. ber 1977. He died in 1984.

Harry. He was admitted as an attorney on 15 March 1932 and shortly afterwards became partner of the Louis Trichardt firm. The firm’s name was consequently changed to Rooth & Coxwell.

In 1934 Harry married a girl from the small town of Soekmekaar, Janet Annette Lyle.

The couple had three children, Gordon, Heather and Caroline.

Harry Coxwell was very active in the local community and a member of the Lion of the North Lodge of the A photo of Harry Coxwell (right) receiving an award. It is Freemasons. He was also one not known when it was taken and who handed it over. of the founder members of the Louis Trichardt Rotary Club. The Rotary Club was established in 1959 and the members very quickly had to prove their mettle. In 1960 the road north going through Wylliespoort was flooded and the Rotary club had to provide shelter for the travellers.

A year later, in 1961, the club members were again asked to reach out to travellers, but this time it was for people fleeing the violence in the (then) Congo. The club’s records mention that 532 refugees in 195 motors crossed the border.

According to his daughter, Heather, he enjoyed playing bowls and was an active member of the local club. After retiring he spent a lot of time doing woodwork, something that he loved. “He was just a wonderful person, someone with a great heart,” remembers his son, Gordon. Gordon also recalls that his father was proud to have served his country during World War II. He was part of the Regiment Botha, that was formed in 1934 as part of an expansion of the Army’s infantry branch.

When World War II broke A young Harry Coxwell photographed with an unknown out in 1939 a second battalion boy (possibly a sibling).

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“On behalf of myself and my entire team at S & S Retreaders, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naude Attorneys for completing 100 glorious years of success. You have always been on the top of the list for serving the community with excellent services.

Companies like yours with a brilliant team of dedicated professionals and workers only aim for high results.

Working with you has been a real honour and we value each and every transaction and deal.

With your commitment and sincerity you have time to time proved your worth and have gained the much deserved recognition and fame. With your services, the community has gained a lot. You have always kept customers satisfaction as your priority and have never resorted to any wrong means for any work. Your employees consider it a privilege working in your company where they get all facilities possible. Not only do you provide a learning platform but also offer a growing career curve for them We wish you all the success for many more years to come. And we as community hope to continue doing business with you in future.” - Wayne Steyn

69 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt • Tel: 015 516 0701

Here’s to another Century!

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Mark Pakkiree.

For most people lawyers only enter their lives when they need something legal done, such as drawing up a contract or agreement, or possibly buying or selling something expensive such as a home or business. For some people lawyers enter their lives at times of great stress, such as during divorce or when being sued or suing others, or even worse, when the threat of incarceration looms.

People expect the obvious things from their attorneys, particularly knowledge of the law, competence, and having a good reputation for being ethical while still winning cases. Clients want to be treated respectfully, and to have the hard-to-comprehend legalese terms explained to them in language that they understand. Most importantly, people expect their legal firm to “cover their back”.

But, perhaps more important, people want a lawyer who will listen and care.

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc believe that this is one of their strengths – the ability to build up a lasting relationship with their clients. Over the past century the firm served as a “legal family” for generations of local families.

Members of the Soutpansberg community who have had dealings with Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naude were asked to share some of their experiences with the law firm. The opinions varied from the short, yet effusive praise such as from Walter Gilfillan of Alliance Fuel’s “Best law firm in the country!” to the respect of others also in the legal field, such as from Hennie Erwee & Vanessa van Wyk who said that they are “proud to be associated with Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naude.”

Respected local educator and businessman, Dr Ntavhanyeni Phaswana, who is a director of Bodie-Krans Lodge, Paradise Maname Independent School, Ntavhanyeni Business Enterprise and Machaka Learning Academy said, “I have used the firm not only for legal matters, but they also arranged for

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ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE “Nobody should merely be a number”

been analysed. I prefer not to make emotional decisions while realizing that we are emotiongoals the promotion of good admitted as an attorney on 15 André Naudé, one of the ally driven as human beings,” May 1984 and as a Notary Pub- corporate governance,” explains he says. three partners of Coxwell, Naudé. lic on 17 December 1985. He Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc, is “Relations among the leadOne of the association’s also became partner in the law known in the region for his ership is extremely important biggest achievements was when in order to critically tap the legal expertise. He featured in firm towards the end of 1984. it challenged the What distinguishes Naudé several high-profile cases the best knowledge and processes folis the manner in which he past decade and is also very skills from each actively involved in communi- became involved in community lowed to rename person in order to activities. He served on a mul- the town. The ty activities. achieve the best CA successfully titude of boards, ranging from André was born in 1955 in results for the comJohannesburg and matriculated church bodies to an association argued in the pany, while not forrepresenting well over 100 000 highest courts that at Linden High School, where getting that nobody of the region’s residents. He is no proper consulhe was the Head Boy in 1972. within a corporate tative procedures especially proud of this body, He then headed to university, environment should were followed first completing his BA degree the Chairpersons’ Association be regarded as only (CA). It is an interest group that when deciding to at the University of Pretoria a number,” he says. before obtaining an LLB degree was established to represent the change the name In July 1999, voices of cultural organisations, of the town, Louis at Potchefstroom University.

Naudé was appointTrichardt. clubs and unions. The mem“I did my articles with the ed as a director of In his personal State Attorney at Pretoria until bers include the Hlanganani André Naudé VBS Mutual Bank. and professional August 1983, before moving to Concerned Group, the Indian He served on this Louis Trichardt,” Naudé recalls. Cultural Group, the agricultural life Naudé is driven by strict board until 2014, when a comprinciples of good governance. plete (and disastrous) restrucIn Louis Trichardt, he joined unions, the Buys community, “I like to act pro-actively as well as the local Chamber of the legal firm, at that stage turing took place. “This was a Commerce. “The Chairpersons’ and to let things happen in a known as Coxwell & Steyn, reasonable manner once facts, Association is a non-political and finished his articles under opportunities and risks had the late Mr Roelf Steyn. He was interested group with as main

CSVN has the vision for another 100 Perhaps one of the most down-to-earth of the three partners at Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc, is Johan Steyn. He became a partner in 1980, but has been a practicing lawyer since 1976.

He was born in Springs in 1950 and matriculated at Delmas High School in 1968.

“Thereafter I commenced with my further studies at the ‘Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys’ in Potchefstroom,” he recalls. He graduated with a BJur et Com degree in 1971 and obtained his LLB degree in 1973.

“I commenced my law career as a prosecutor in 1974 in Fochville and moved on to Pietermaritzburg, completing my articles with Mr H R Straeuli at Dyasons in Pretoria,” says Steyn. He then moved to Johannesburg where he continued his law career with Theo Tromp Attorneys. In April 1977 he decided to move and settle down in Louis Trichardt.

“I joined Coxwell & Steyn Attorneys in 1977 as a Professional Assistant,” says Steyn.

Three years later, in 1980, he became a partner in the law

firm.

“As is the case in a relatively small community, you are quickly drawn into community activities,” Steyn tells. “I was chairman of the Round Table 66 and was involved for a while with the Rotarians in Louis Trichardt. I have served on both the financial committees of Louis Trichardt Primary School as well as Louis Trichardt High School.”

Up to a few years ago he was also an avid golf player.

“However, I now keep myself busy these days in my spare time with fishing,” he says.

Johan Steyn also left his mark on a new generation of intellectuals. Way back in 1983 he was lecturing Criminal Law and Interpretation of Statutes at the University of Venda.

In 2006 he obtained the Right of Appearance in the High Court of South Africa. In 2016 he was appointed as Commissioner of the Small Claims Court. He is very passionate about his work and believes that Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc has the vision that is needed to take it forward to the next 100 years. “Through the

PD OTTO ELEKTRIES

years till now, our firm provides specialised services that continue to meet the demands of our clients in our ever changing economic and business environment. We continue to strive with a code of ethics, always offering an efficient client service delivery,” he says.

He also believes that new developments and technology should be embraced to ensure effective service delivery.

“We have kept abreast of the changing needs in the IT field, this being vital in being able to deliver an efficient and effective professional service to our clients.”

Johan Steyn

period when good and transparent corporate governance principles and best practices had been followed and enforced by the then very reputable Board of Directors,” he says.

The Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce awarded him with the Business Person of the Year award in 2003 and the Chairperson’s Award in 2006.

These, however, were only two of several accolades he received throughout the years. In 2009, the Calvary Christian Church in Venda handed CSVN the Calvary Community Empowerment Award. “This was handed over to me by the then President, Kgalema Motlanthe,” says Naudé.

On a personal level he is an enthusiastic part-time farmer.

His produce includes avocados, which are sold to several of the country’s top retail stores. His wife, Martie, plays a leading

Besides law Ranald loves his horses Ranald Vise was born in Johannesburg on the 1st of March 1944. In 1946 his parents moved to a farm near Haenertsburg which was to become his home until he graduated with his first degree, B.Com with accounting and law majors, from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1966.

Ranald attended boarding school at The Ridge in Johannesburg and Bishops in Cape Town where he matriculated in 1960. After school Ranald worked for a year as a learner official on the mines and then was an American Field Service exchange student for another year in the United States of America. In 1963 he started studies in metallurgical engineering at Wits University but changed to B. Com the following year.

Ranald entered into articles with the firm Bowman Gilfillan and Blacklock in Johannesburg in 1968 and studied LLB at Wits while doing his articles.

Ranald completed his LLB in 1969 and was admitted as an attorney in 1970. Ranald continued to work at Bowman Gilfillan and Blacklock as a professional assistant until the

end of 1972 when he had to decide whether to stay on with Bowman Gilfillan and Blacklock as a partner or go back to the country. He decided in favour of the country and returned to Haenertsburg where he entered into practice with A M Theron of Tzaneen, which soon became A M Theron and Vise at the beginning of 1973.

At the end of 1977 Ranald decided to move to Louis Trichardt to farm with his father-in-law, Cyril Thompson, on the farm Wallace Dale near Wylliespoort. Shortly after Ranald joined him, his fatherin-law was killed in the then Rhodesia by insurgents while visiting a cattle farm there, of which he was the managing partner.

After a year on the farm Ranald decided to return to practice and joined Coxwell and Steyn in February 1979.

He was admitted as a partner in 1980 and in 1986 became senior partner. Ranald qualified as a conveyancer in 1984 and has since then been in charge of the conveyancing department. He has also had extensive experience in certain aspects of commercial work, drafting of commercial con-

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Over the years Ranald has been a keen participant in sailing dinghies, rowing, tennis, golf, hiking, scuba diving, polocrosse, natural horsemanship and endurance riding, and still takes part in horsemanship and endurance riding. He also has an interest in music and reads quite a bit.

Ranald has participated in the community and is a Rotarian and Past President of Rotary. He was also chairman of Round Table in Tzaneen in 1975. He was vice chairman of the Soutpansberg Primary school board and chairman of the Hostel Committee for several years, and also served for many years as vice-chairman of the Northern Province Circle Council of the Transvaal Law Society.

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role in managing the farm activities. They also have cattle and game farms in the Thabazimbi area.

The couple have three children. Marisa Naudé is based in Polokwane, and is an advocate at the Pretoria Bar Council, while Johesta is a dentist practising in Krugersdorp.

Their son, André, and daughter-in-law, Wilma, are both metallurgical engineers. Both obtained MBA degrees from the Pretoria University.

When not at work, André enjoys spending time with the horses on his farm.

“I have a special interest in the non-verbal communication with horses. It is a thrill for me to gallop in the open veld and in the mountain on my five-gaited American saddlebred gelding called Star, who inspires me to reach for the stars,” he says.

Realty 1 would like to thank Coxwell Steyn Vise & Naudé for your support over the years and wish you well for the future admin@realty1lt.co.za

Geluk Coxwell Steyn Vise Naude Prokureurs met jul 100ste bestaansjaar LOUIS TRICHARDT T +27 (86) 123 2222 | F +27 (86) 610 5438 97 Anderson Street, Louis Trichardt

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Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

Even the legal profession has a humorous side The law is not always about stern faces and people clashing with the authorities.

Every now and then it has a “lighter” side, although the humour is not always appreciated at that specific moment. André Naudé, wellknown partner at Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc, can recall a few of these more uncomfortable episodes.

“One interesting court case that comes to my mind, without mentioning the name, was when the wife secretly moved out of her husband’s house and took all the assets in the house with her,” he remembers. A removal company was commissioned by the wife to collect everything.

While all this was happening, the curious neighbours gattered at the fence.

“While the removal company had been packing and removing the stuff, she played the piano in the garden with very exciting and beautiful music,” says Naudé. The neighbours served as the applauding audience.

The husband, in the meantime, had obtained a spoliation order, which effectively prohibited the wife from moving anything out of the house. “The court order confirmed that she was not entitled to remove the goods without her husband’s permission. She even had to move this piano into the house and place all furniture and assets in exactly the same position where she had found them when she started removing the stuff,” he explains.

This case is still known as the Piano Case and the details have been reported in the law reports. “It was the first instance where a husband obtained a spoliation order against the wife for removing stuff out of the house without the permission of her husband,” says Naudé.

“In another matter where I handled a divorce for a wife, we tried our best to add the best value to the case of the wife

Your

in an honest and transparent manner. The husband got so fed up with me that he ran into my office and told me that, while I am fighting so much for his wife, that I can just as well take her with all her rubbish,” remembers Naudé. The angry husband wanted to “sign off” on his wife immediately and leave her at the lawyers’ practice.

“The more I tried to explain to the husband that I already had a wife whom I loved very much, the more he insisted that I take his wife as it was clear to him that I wanted his wife. It was extremely difficult to convince this man that I actually did not want his wife and that I was simply doing my job as a lawyer,” says Naudé.

The police eventually had to be called in to restore the peace and remove the husband from the premises.

“It was clear that this clever opponent wanted me to take his wife without his assets, so that he could, in exchange, keep all his assets,” Naudé remarks in a dry manner.

There were, however, some ground-breaking cases of a much more serious nature.

“These cases were reported in the law reports as unique law and as reportable decisions, due to the fact that no such decisions in the application of the law had ever been made before in the Republic of South Africa,” says Naudé. The cases provide direction when verdicts must be made in future cases.

Among the notable cases are: * Galvin Case – Spoliation Law – North Gauteng High Court; * Van Rensburg Case – ESTA – Provincial and AppelA historic photo of the staff of the then Coxwell & Steyn, taken in 1972. In the front, from late Division; left to right, sit Roelf Steyn, Harry Coxwell and Tickey Franz. In the second row stand * Venda Pensions Matters – Sannie Visser, Hettie Gericke, Marcia Potgieter, Ellen de Lange, Petro van den Berg and Venda High Court, Transvaal Jean Joubert. In the third row stand A Schambriel, E Boshoff, Ena Walkenshaw, E Botha, Provincial Division and AppelCecile Nienaber (Steyn) and Jean Franz. At the back are JA van Niekerk, Rina Botha, late Division; EJC Swart and Jappie Venter. * The name Change of Louis Trichardt / Makhado – North Gauteng High Court (Transvaal Provincial Division) and Appellate Division; and * Constitutional – Bannatyne Case in the Constitutional court One could assume that having to the public and its institutions contracts, lease agreements, – Family and Maintenance been in business for 100 years include conveyancing, regisinternational contracts, supply Law. one would allow Coxwell, tration of bonds and assistance contracts, building contracts, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Attorto estate agents to draft their sale contracts, notarial agreeneys to sport an impressive contracts to the best standards, ments, sale of land agreements, range of services, and that in compliance with the laws of income tax planning and capital assumption would be correct. South Africa. This is done to gains tax planning that may be The firm aims to have each secure the rights and duties of involved in such contracts and of its departments specialize in their clients in a transparent and planning regarding all other its specific area of the law. This lawful manner by eliminating forms of taxes that may become is to ensure that, as far as possi- all risks that may be caused due and payable. These include, ble, they can deliver a profesby any form of transaction. among others, except for the sional and specialized service The firm also does notarial above also, VAT implications. to institutions and the public, as work, including notarial bonds, Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & well as peregrini, so that they antenuptial contracts, notarial Naudé can also assist with know their rights and duties are leases, notarial cessions and the drafting of wills and protected within the framework prospecting rights. estate planning, as well as the of the laws of South Africa.

As for litigation, Coxwell, winding up of estates. Also For those unfamiliar with the Steyn, Vise & Naudé does all included in the list of services term peregrini, it dates from the kinds in all forums in South are the debating of accounts of time of the Roman empire and Africa including, among others, institutions of the State sent to roughly means all those who the High Court, Regional Court, the public, third-party claims, have not previously enjoyed Magistrate’s Court, Labour collections that fall under the any access to the law, such as Court, Land Claims Court, National Credit Act (as well as slaves and foreigners who were CCMA matters and arbitration the Consumer Protection Act), not Roman citizens. matters, nationally and interna- as well as services regarding The services that Coxwell, tionally. administrative law, constituAndré Naudé, well-known partner at Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Steyn, Vise & Naudé renders Commercial services include tional law and land claims.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE Roelf Steyn started as a policeman and became a respected lawyer

Two people with the longest association with Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naude Inc. are Cecile Steyn (left) and Jean Joubert (right). Cecile joined the firm in 1971 as secretary to Roelf Steyn whom she later married, retired when Roelf retired to be a consultant in 1989 but remained associated with the firm as Roelf’s secretary and later in administering buildings in which she had an interest. Jean first joined the firm in 1968, left for a short period to look after her infant son and for ten years when she left Louis Trichardt in 1997 to return in 2007. She has been a secretary to Ranald Vise for 29 years.

From humble beginnings as a policeman, Roelf Steyn built a name for himself as one of the region’s top attorneys while at the same time remaining much respected by all.

Roelf was born on 21 February 1919 in Brakpan where he also completed his school career. After school, he joined the then Special Service Battalion from where he went on to join the South African Police.While in the police, Roelf was promoted to the rank of sergeant and studied law while serving in Ventersdorp. It was also in Ventersdorp where he met and was employed by attorney Gilette as an articled

clerk. In 1952, Roelf ceded his articles to Harry Coxwell at the firm which was known as Rooth & Coxwell at that stage.

By then Roelf had already proven himself a cut above the rest by receiving the Buckle prize from the then Transvaal Law Society for the highest marks in the attorney’s admission exams. He was admitted as attorney on 8 January 1953.

Shortly after being admitted as attorney Roelf became a partner and from that date onwards the firm was to become known as Coxwell & Steyn.

On a professional level, Roelf was very successful for the duration of the 35 years he served as partner at the firm, after which he retired in 1989.

By that time, he was known as one of the best attorneys in the then Northern Transvaal.

He was also very well known for his love of golf and as such was actively involved at the Soutpansberg Golf Club where he, among others, served as club captain. For decades he was actively involved in the betterment of the club. As a player, he was a very competitive SAGES player for the “older generation” and was made an honorary member of the SAGES shortly before

The late Roelf Steyn

The three partners of Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc, (from left to right) André Naudé, Ranald Vise and Johan Steyn, about the celebrate the law firm’s 100th birthday with a slice of cake.

Congratulations May your business continue to grow in the future!

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Happy Birthday.

Thank you for years & years of good service and friendship.

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Congratulations on your huge achievement!

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his death on 2 June 1993. Just three months before his death, at the age of 73, Roelf won the SAGES veteran’s tournament in Cape Town.

“The one thing I remember about him the most is that he would walk into everybody’s office and greet everyone, from junior to senior, in the morning when he came into the office,” remembers Roelf’s wife Cecile Steyn. To many, Roelf personified the word gentleman and all who crossed paths with him spoke very highly of him. Many also knew him as the Silver Fox. Fellow golf players fondly remember the way he would always be polite and friendly, unless he “lost” a golf bet. It was then that his cunningness would come to the fore. For example, if he lost a R20 bet, he would pay the winner with a R100 note on the last hole. Later at the clubhouse, and making sure that everybody was listening, he would ask the winner of the bet when he was going to pay him his R80?

To this day, Roelf Steyn’s memory is kept alive by all who knew him, so too the legacy and contribution to Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc.

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May continued success and happiness be with you always!

ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

8

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

André Naudé and his team. From left to right are Lizel Badenhorst, Zinta-Marié Wepener, André and Liezel Pennells.

Above: Attorney Johan Steyn and his team. From left to right are Anet Schoeman, Bennie Mukhithi, Johan and Trema van Rooyen.

Left: Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc also has an office in Thohoyandou. The staff members here are legal secretary and clerk Bheki Mamphwe (right) and cleaner Naledzani Tshivandekano (left).

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LOUIS TRICHARDT TEL: 087 523 3150 015 516 5071

Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc is proud of another five long serving employees. Hilda Baloyi has been employed at the firm since 1995 as a filing clerk and cleaner. After 23 years of service, she will be starting a well-deserved retirement at the end of this year.

Daniel Nemavhola started at the firm in 1998 as a messenger and showed great promise.

He was promoted to receptionist and has since been promoted again to conveyancing secretary. Bennie Mukhiti has been with the firm since 1999 employed as a clerk. This job description does not do Bennie justice as he is a “jack of all trades”. He is Johan Steyn’s right hand (driver, interpreter and mediator). Anet Schoeman has been employed as a litigation secretary for Johan Steyn since 2005. Anet is bright, efficient and willing to help anyone with any task and is the head secretary of her department. Elize Venter has been with the firm since 2008 and is the firm’s cashier. She also handles all the rentals done through Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc, as well as Rentmeester and R&C Steyn for Cecile Steyn. Pictured from left to right are Daniel, Anet, Elize and Bennie. Unfortunately, Hilda was on sick leave when the photo was taken.

CONGRATULATIONS

on your achievement of

100 YEARS “We look forward to supporting you into the next 100!”

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Congratulations to the whole team

The conveyancing department at Coxwell, Steyn, Vise & Naudé Inc. In front, from left to right, are Lilly Gadisi, Ranald Vise and Pauline Steyn. At the back are Ashleigh Cloete, Jean Joubert and Daniel Nemavhola.