Death of former mayor
2008-12-04
PROMINENT Wellington businessman, farmer and public figure Tienie Malan (77), who passed away on Tuesday last week, was buried this week. Malan’s health had declined steadily following a heart attack last year. He grew up on the family farm Versailles. He studied at Elsenburg Agricultural College where he was head student, then returned to the farm. At the youthful age of 28, the young farmer – then regarded as “Wellington’s most eligible bachelor” - was elected a Member of the Town Council (Municipal Board). He later married Elmine Roux and the couple had three daughters. Over the next two decades, Tienie served as both Deputy Mayor (five years), and Mayor of Wellington (four years). In honour of outstanding service he was made Alderman – one of only two Wellingtonners to hold this title. He also spent five years on the Governing Body of the Western Cape Municipality, totalling 28 years of service on the Wellington Municipal Board. From 1980 to 1996 Tienie was also a member of the Board of Directors at Wellington Wine Cellars, in addition to serving as a Director of the Wellington-based South African Dried Fruit Growers (SAD), where he remained for 15 years. It was in the latter capacity that Tienie, together with Charel van Schoor (former Managing Director of SAD), managed to ensure that the Paarl Valley Bottling Company was established just outside Wellington, which resulted in the development of a thriving business district. A popular local opinion leader, who was committed to the growth and improvement of his home-town, Tienie also exerted his influence behind the scenes, to help prevent the closure (and relocation to Paarl) of the century-old Teachers’ Training College in Wellington. It is partly thanks to his concerted efforts that the venerable old College buildings are now part of the Cape Technikon’s Wellington Campus. After retiring, the energetic grandfather continued to grow and dry his own pears and Hanepoot raisins, as well as actively assisting daughter Annareen in creating her award-winning Malan de Versailles wines. Tienie is survived by his wife, daughters and grandchildren. - Maggie Follett
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