Francois Ketteldas
Francois has been part of the life of the Gamtoos Irrigation Board (GIB) for 15 years, having started off as a general worker.
For the past four years he has been employed as a Grade 1 Supervisor.
A proud family man, he has always lived in the Hankey area and says he enjoys its simple way of life. However, he is saddened to see that, even here, crime has begun to show its face.
Francois and his wife, who works for the Kouga Municipality, have four children ranging in age from 2 to 21, and all of them still live together in the same house, he says.
According to manager of works, Derik Thokoane, who has known him for “a number of years now”, Francois is “a nice, reliable guy”. For his team this certainly seems to be the case, as they go about performing their daily tasks of maintenance, dealing with leaks and minor construction needs as and when they occur.
When it comes to his future plans, Francois is unequivocal. “I don’t have so many years left. I am certainly not going to go off in another direction now.”
Vir die afgelope 15 jaar al is Francois deel van die werksmag by die Gamtoosbesproeiingsraad. Hy het eers begin as ‘n algemene werker en is al vier jaar lank ‘n Graad 1 Vooorman.
‘n Trotse familieman, Francois bly al sy lewe lank in Hankey. Hy geniet die stil, eenvoudige leefwyse, maar erken dat misdaad tot hiér sy lelike gesig kom wys.
Francois en sy vrou, wat by die Kouga Munisipaliteit werk, het vier kinders tussen twee en 21 “wat almal nog in dieselfde huis woon”.
Volgens Derik Thokoane, wat hom nou al “baie jare lank ken”, is Francois ‘n “gawe, betroubare man.” Dit blyk duidelik die geval te wees vir die span werkers oor wie hy toesig het. Hulle daaglikse werk bestaan uit ligte konstruksiewerk, sowel as ander algemene onderhoudstake soos die omsien na lekkende pype.
Toe hy oor sy toekomsplanne uitgevra is, is Francois vasbelote. “Daar bly nie vir my baie werksjare oor nie. Ek is nie nou van plan om in ‘n ander rigting te gaan nie.”