Donald van Rooyen
Donald joined the Gamtoos Irrigation Board in 2004 after having spent his early career in a range of occupations. He started out as a farm labourer in Patensie and then worked as a security guard in Port Elizabeth, but his decision to join GIB was influenced by the benefits and security that such an established organisation offers.
After – in his own words – “starting at the bottom”, Donald applied for the position of water control officer in 2010. Then, last year, he was promoted into his current role as the supervisor of a team of five other water control officers. They are responsible for the oversight of the pipelines in the areas of Loerie, Melon and Mondplaas, and ensuring the speedy repair of any leakages or cracks.
He feels very grateful to the leadership at GIB, especially Rienette Colesky and Leon Grundling, for their kindness to him over the years.
“Donald is a sensitive gentleman and we enjoy having him as part of the GIB team,” says Rienette.
“From time to time, we also enjoy the lovely vegetables he grows!”
Donald is a married father of six children, ranging in age from 12 to 29 years. His youngest attends Gamtoos Valley Primary School, while two of his older daughters are already training to be school teachers.
A very enthusiastic gardener, Donald loves nothing better than to spend his leisure hours pottering around in the garden and “to bake roosterkoek to eat when we have a braai on the weekend,” he smiles.
Donald werk al sedert 2004 vir die Gamtoos-Besproeiingsraad. Sy loopbaan het egter op ’n ander trajek begin.
Hy het eers as ’n arbeider op ’n plaas in Patensie gewerk, en toe as ’n sekuriteitswag in Port Elizabeth. Sy besluit om ’n pos by GBR te aanvaar is gemotiveer deur die voordele en sekuriteit wat so ’n groot organisasie bied.
Donald erken eerlik dat hy “heel onder begin het” toe hy by GBR kom werk het. Hy het in 2010 bewus geword van ’n waterbeheerbeampte posisie wat beskikbaar was en het daarvoor aansoek gedoen.
Verlede jaar is hy bevorder na sy huidige amp as voorman van ’n span van vyf waterbeheerbeamptes. Hy en sy span is verantwoordelik vir die oorsig van die waterlyne in die Loerie-, Melon- en Mondplaas gebiede waar hulle sorg dat enige gebarste pype of lekkasies spoedig herstel word.
Hy sê dat hy baie dankbaar is vir die bestuur van GBR, veral Rienette Colesky en Leon Grundling, vir al hul goedhartigheid aan hom deur die jare.
“Donald is ’n sensitiewe heer, en ons geniet dit dat hy deel is van die GBR span,” sê Rienette. “En elke nou en dan smul ons ook aan die heerlike groente wat hy kweek!”
Donald is getroud en die pa van ses kinders. Die oudste is 29 en die jongste (12) gaan skool by Laerskool Gamtoosvallei. Twee van sy dogters word tans opgelei as onderwyseresse.
Donald het groen vingers en geniet niks meer as om in sy tuin te ontspan en daarin rond te krap nie. Met ’n glimlag sê hy ook, “en om my eie roosterbrood te bak as ons oor die naweek braai.”