# data[].attributes.body
Little Millie visiting Oupa and Ouma

# data[].attributes.body
Family memories

# data[].attributes.body
Beautiful flowers

# data[].attributes.body
Boetie en Sussie

# data[].attributes.body
Golfing my Kobie will always be a special memory.

# data[].attributes.body
I have so many fond and heartwarming memories with Kobie but due to time, I can only narrate one.

One time,  I walked into his office and butted in on a conversation he was having with Mike Sprott about Fanakalo.

To the born frees, Fanakalo was a thorough butchering of the isiZulu language that was used in the mines. The conversation went as far as Kreol which is the butchering of the English language used in parts of West Africa.  I expressed my abhorrence of both because in my opinion, it takes the same effort to learn a proper language.

I didn't realise then how this conversation affected Kobie.

A month or so down the line, he came to my office and asked me if I could help him with his assignment.

You can imagine, my eyes  popped out because how can I possibly be of help with his assignment.   He then told me that he had enrolled at Wits University and is learning IsiZulu.

The fact that he was teachable and showed respect for all humankind,  made me gain an utmost respect for him.

But the most important trait about Kobie is that he lived the bible scripture in Proverbs 3 verse 27 : Paraphrased - Do not withhold good if it is in your power to help someone.

He changed my life and I salute him🙏🏽

Zenzi and Konkola Naboth

# data[].attributes.body
The most honorable man I have ever met. The Vetten family

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie greeting Zenzi in IsiZulu

# data[].attributes.body
We have lost a great and unreplaceable leader in our lifes. A man of integrity and with unique qualities.

I have become part of Kobie's life in 1996 and I must say that since than I have also seen this man with a smile. He was a leader not only in WBHO, but in the whole construction industry.

To Kobie's family I would like say thank you that you've allowed him to become part of life my life . I know that you've sacrifice a lot for many years that he spent with us in the construction field.

Kobie I know that our God has called you to a better place and that such leaders like you are needed there. May God grant wisdom and comfort to your bereaved family. Farwell our great leader till we meet again. We will always love you for what you have done for us.

Frank and Evelyn Coetzee

# data[].attributes.body
We will miss Kobie as he was a significant player in our WBHO team. The saying work hard and play hard was synonymous with Kobie. There are many magnificent moments that come to mind, the Argus one of them!! Kobie and I were always rivals on the day, which always ended in celebration either way. Travel well my friend….

# data[].attributes.body
Sam and Mpumi Sharing their memories ✨

# data[].attributes.body
Op 21 Mei 2024  het die wêreld vir ‘n rukkie stil geword.  Die stilte het so baie mense aangeraak. Die stilte wat mens verwag het maar tog gekeer het.
‘n Man wat sy lewe geleef het. ‘n Man wat nooit opgegee het nie. ‘n Man wat sy tyd altyd gedeel het vir sy familie, kollegas,vreemde mense.
‘n Man wat so baie respek vir elke persoon gehad het wat oor sy pad gekom het.
‘n Man wat met trots vir mens raad  kon gee.
‘n Man wat iets in my gesien het wat ek nie daai tyd gesien het nie, wat in my geglo het. ‘n Man wat ek eer, respekteer, opkyk
Ek kan met soveel trots sê die man is my oom. ‘n pa wat ek nooit gehad het nie.
Die man wat God altyd altyd heel eerste gesit het.
Oom Kobie ek wil nog nie groet nie, die trane laat dit nog nie toe nie.
Dit sou lekker wees om nog by oom te leer oor die lewe. Om nog een storie te hoor. Om  nog een keer met trots vir oom kan vertel oor my dag by die skool maar ek sê dit met ‘n swaar hart en tog ‘n dankbaar hart dat ek is sooo bly oom is nie meer siek nie.
Stuur asb vir ouma en oupa baie groete..

# data[].attributes.body
We sure were blessed with the best MC at our wedding. Forever in our hearts ❤‍🩹Gavin & Lynda🤗🤗

# data[].attributes.body
End of a tough Argus in 2000. Joanne is now 30 and Ash 28. Kobie kitted them out with their kit💖💖

# data[].attributes.body
Tim and Jane enjoyed many happy times travelling with Elsabe and Kobie over the last 10 years.

We met up in Paris in June 2016 and did a great road trip for a week, seeing Giverny, the Normandy beaches and some wine areas. This was followed by a wonderful 6-day canal barge trip, joined by our friends, Gavin and Lyn George.

Kobie commandeered the barge almost immediately and he was hence forth addressed as "Kaptain Kobie" by the five nervous "crew".

Elsabe and Kobie spent some time with us in Australia. The highlight was a 3-day boat cruise from Cairns around the Great Barrier Reef.

Kobie and Jane decided after the one-hour scuba diving lesson in the sea that this was for the "moerse birds".

So, they got out, dried off and went to find the nearest bar.

His nickname for Jane was "Dingbat" (who knows why?) and she was fondly reminded to "put on your drinking boots" whenever we got together.

Until we meet again our friend,

Sadly missed, and forever in our hearts.

Tim and Jane

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie will be forever remembered by me for his unprecedented ability to plan and organise events with military precision. One of my most memorable was our Desert Trip to Namibia in 2009. I will never forget it. I will treasure my days working with his guidance, leadership and friendship.  RIP

Denis Bean

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie

Woede, depressie, ontkenning, onderhandeling en aanvaarding dit is waardeur ek moet werk om jou dood te aanvaar. Ons moet nie bang wees vir hierdie proses nie. Elkeen van ons moet op ons eie manier en teen ons eie pas hier deur werk. Ek probeer dit nie teenstaan, ontken of beveg nie sodat innerlike genesing daaruit sal voortvloei. Want kom ons wees eerlik met mekaar, niemand het die antwoorde nie. Want is die waarheid van die saak nie, dat die oomblik wat jy vrede maak met jou sterflikheid begin jy ook regtig lewe. Kobie ek hoef nie vir jou te vertel wat jy vir my, Retha en ons seuns beteken het nie. Die verandering wat in ons lewens plaasgevind het van die eerste dag wat ek jou ontmoet het in 2001 kan nie in woorde beskryf word nie. Al wat ons kan se is dankie. Kobie jy was so lief en het so baie omgegee vir Retha. Baie dankie daarvoor. Kobie jy is my mentor, hero en konstruksie pa. Ek sal jou vir ewig dankbaar wees vir die toekoms wat jy vir my en my familie gegee het. Elke enkele oomblik terwyl ons lewendig en bymekaar was wonderbaarlik en ons het ongelooflik baie oomblike oor 23 jaar saam gehad. Kobie die lewe is kort baie dankie dat jy my geleer het om elke dag voluit te lewe asof dit mens se laaste dag is. Ons gaan jou glimlag mis.

Elsabe vir jou en die kinders 'n gedig:

Ewigheid

Iewers is dit als verby en staan jy wat agterbly vir lank verslae, verstom, verpletter…Verblind! Want sien jy my dan nie dwaal deur die melkweg nie? En voel jy nie hoe waai my asem in die winde nie? Hoor jy nie my fluisterstem oor veld en vleiland nie? Jy bly soek my tussen klip en steen en jy mis my – jy mis my waar ek oor jou reën…

Conradt, Retha en Seuns

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was n mense-mens gewees 👷

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie ek en jy was saam pioeniers van n klein Peter Baily firma en ons was amper toegemaak nie wat wonders finansieel gegaan het met ons maar daar was planne gemaak ,besluite gemeen uitgetrap en onshet dit oorbrug en deur God se genade is die magtige WBHO vandag wat dit is .Ons het n vertroulike goeie pad saamgeloop wat nie sommer kan weggelaat word nie maar sleg herhinneringe kan skep .Lang ure en goeie verhoudings het ons albei gebring tot ons uiterste aangesien on ook maar net vir WBHO geleen was . Ons is maar net die span wat onder jou met jou militere dryf styl die regte dissipline wat ons almal waardeer het ,die wat nie daaraan
gewoond was nie het dit baie gou verstaan .Rus in vrede mede kannonier dit was n besonderse eer om saam met jou en jou familie in WBHO te groei en nou afskeid te neem met swaar hart jy sal altyd gerespekteer word deur my en al ons mense wat saam met jou betrokke was by ons kontrakte.Jou nuwe lewe het nou oopgemaak en ons sal mekkaar ontmoet .
Dankie almal

Dirk Botha

# data[].attributes.body
Glentana Bure boodskap

# data[].attributes.body
A special message from Markus Nieuwoudt ⚔️

# data[].attributes.body
Nick McKinley here, an ex workmate from Cape Town. You were a man among men, you and your team burnt more diesel than Eskom. I hope and pray the guys you mentored keep those exhaust pipes burning white. The South African construction industry have lost a giant. The industry and the country will be a poorer place without you.
.

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was a giant of a man.
Not only in stature, but in his vision for our business; the respect he was shown by colleagues,
employees and competitors in our industry. He lived by a strict code of principles, discipline and
respect – I noticed that in his presence men automatically stood up straighter.
It is impossible to paint a picture, or capture the essence of a man in a few short paragraphs so I will
share a few memories that stand out, and some photographs I have found.
I first met Kobie, on a muddy track in the middle of Mocambique after the floods of 2000. WBHO were
building an earth berm and access road into the town of Xai Xai that had been totally cut off by flood
waters, and I was working for WBHO as a local sub-contractor. I had no idea who Kobie was, or that he
was arriving on site, but I did notice that all WBHO staff were on site early – shaved, with polished
boots and clean bakkies.
It wasn’t a warm meeting.
I had been outraged that WBHO had won all 3 emergency work tenders of flood works, when I had
given a lift to my friend Warrick to the site inspections in Magude, and he had signed the compulsory
attendance registers for WBHO- and WBHO won all 3 tenders! I went to meet with the Swedes who
were funding the Project to complain and in turn they advised ANE,( the roads Agency) to give me (
Protech ) some work, who advised WBHO accordingly.
So on that day, a bakkie screeched to a halt and this tall man emerged, squinted down at me and said
“ so you are the woman that caused all the trouble”
His attitude thawed a while later when he realised I knew my way around Mocambique, procedures at
customs and the myriad pitfall’s in operating there and he eventually offered me a job.
Cut to a while later. WBHO won the contract to build a new road up north in the middle of Mocambique
in Gorongoza, and I was summoned to fly up there with the boss and a Contracts Director in the WBHO
plane. We were the first people to land in the Goronogoza park after 25 years of civil war. The park has
been a Renamo stronghold who funded their war with large caches of poached ivory that was protected
by landmines.
Kobie had instructed the site team to mow the grass on the runway for us to land, and was completely
unmoved by my dark mutterings of landmines etc. A team of neatly shaved men emerged from a
bakkie when we bounced down and screeched to a halt. I staggered out carrying my bag – they rushed
up to me with their hands outstretched and swerved right past me, to take Kobies bag.
The next few days it rained. A lot. When we were due to leave the little plane got stuck in the “runway”
grass, and was pulled out by a tractor with Kobie mildly agitated and looking at his watch. When the
young pilot suggested waiting, Kobie calmly said “Listen nicely – when we are in the air, you are the
boss, when we are on the ground I am the boss. We are still on the ground, and Im telling you WE
ARE FLYING”.
With his fierce manner Kobie always had a glint in his eyes, and a very good sense of humour. The
pictures posted tell of incredible adventures we had with an enormous amount of fun and laughter. I
convinced him that WBHO should sponsor the UB40 concert in Maputo. I built a grass hut replete with
palm trees in the stands, and he and Elsabe flew in with the “A Team” from Joburg and boogied to RED
RED WINE etc
These few anecdotes paint a story of a fierce principled man – which he was. What I must tell you was
that few people knew of his incredible kindness to his “span” – Kobie always had your back when
things went wrong, as long as you were honest with him. He took time to really listen and understand
people, and wherever he could help anyone, he was unstinting in his assistance.
Kobie was so proud of “his girls” and worshipped Elsabe.
To Elsabe, Lienka and Carine
I am so sad jotting down these few memories and can not imagine the very big hole left in your lives.
If there is any comfort to be had; it is surely knowing just how many lives your husband and father
touched.
He was a giant in every sense – and truly an Officer and a Gentleman

# data[].attributes.body
Memories shared by Ingrid Campbell!

Look at that great shirt 👕

# data[].attributes.body
A message from Mike Wylie

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was vir ons `n heel besondere vriend.

Sy welwillendheid, liefde, respek en  ondersteuning vir sy medemens uit alle vlakke van die samelewing was besonders.

Sy humorsin  en „fun“-geaardheid het baie lag en goeie herineringe nagelaat.

Ons dink aan kuiers by Ingwelala, die 1995 wêreldbeker rugby, Glentana, ens. was almal spesiale tye. Die goeie en diep gesprekke in sy kelder (natuurlik met goeie rooi wyn) het verder bygedra tot ons mooi herinneringe

Ons was onsteld oor sy siekte maar self tydens die siekte was ons baie versterk op die manier wat hy dit hanteer het.

Die ondersteuning en liefde van Elsabe en al die kinders was besonders.

Kobie, ons dank die Here dat ons jou kon ken

ons gaan jou baie mis!

Jan en Martie van Arkel

Sedgefield

# data[].attributes.headline
Kobie Botha (Baas Botes) en sy Sonop Pelle

# data[].attributes.subject
Kobie Botha (Baas Botes) en sy Sonop Pelle

# data[].attributes.body
Tribute to Kobie Botha - A True Leader

The news of the passing away of Kobie, though expected for some time, came as a shock to me.

I have known Kobie for over 24 years now. He played a huge and important role in my life.

He employed me back in early 2000. I think I might be the only person for whom he personally went to the Department of Home Affairs and stood in a queue for several hours to make sure that I had a work permit to be able to work for him. I had the privilege of having him as my boss for almost all of my working life of 15 years with WBHO.

He was a remarkable and natural leader who commanded respect from everyone who worked for him. His leadership qualities were unquestionable and reassuring. We could always look up to him for leadership and support in the performance of our duties and responsibilities for the company.

On a personal level, he allowed me considerable amount of freedom to do my job to the best of my abilities. His trust in me and my abilities to do the work assigned to me satisfactorily was unmistakeable. He was always happy and willing to show his appreciation for the work done by me. While at work, he would make it a point to come into my office and say a few words of appreciation and encouragement as often as he could.

His presence and leadership at Bosberaads and other similar public functions was legendary. He put in a huge effort to get to know his colleagues, subordinates, and their families well. He made us and our spouses feel special. We were made to feel that we were very much part of the larger loving and caring WBHO family. My late wife, Alice, knew Kobie well and always enjoyed interacting with him at a personal level at the various Bosberaads and other functions she was invited to. We also had the opportunity to go on some overseas trips together, which were truly special and memorable.

I will miss Kobie a lot at a personal level. I feel like I have lost someone truly special and important in my life.

I wish to take this opportunity to offer Elsabe, Lienka, Carine, and the rest of the family my most sincere and heartfelt condolences at this time of great grief and loss. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Mathew Alex

# data[].attributes.body
In 1958 trek die Bothas langs die Spiese in in Simonstraat, Bethal. Op daardie dag het 'n jarelange buurmanskap en vriendskap tussen die twee gesinne ontstaan. Baie kuiers en geselsies en soveel kere se wildtuin besoeke het uit hierdie verbintenis gevolg.
Ek en Kobie was karperdjies van dieselfde jaar. Saam kattekwaad aangevang, saam leer fiets ry, saam Gr 1 toe, saam Hoërskool Hoogenhout toe en saam ons skoolloopbane voltooi.
Albert en Kobie was op hoërskool 'n ruk lank kamermaats in Liebenhof koshuis.
Ons koester wonderlike en kosbare herinneringe!
Albert & Anelenie (Spies) Smit

# data[].attributes.headline
Anelenie Smit (Spies) herinneringe van skool - Hoërskool Hoogenhout, Bethal 

# data[].attributes.subject
Anelenie Smit (Spies) herinneringe van skool - Hoërskool Hoogenhout, Bethal 

# data[].attributes.body
Hoërskool Hoogenhout, Bethal. Matriek 1970

# data[].attributes.body
Beide Kobie en ek het siviele ingenieurswese aan die Universiteit van Pretoria gestudeer en het in Sonop Tehuis gebly.  Sonop het ‘n groot impak op beide van ons gehad.  Nie net kon ons notas uitruil nie, maar het menige gesprekke gehad om van die vakke beter te kon verstaan.

Na graduering het Kobie gespesialiseer in konstruksiebestuur.  Hy is nie net bevorder tot besturende direkteur van een van die groot besigheideenhede in WBHO nie, maar het uitgestyg tot een van die gesiene spesialiste in konstruksiebestuur in Suid Afrika.  Hy het sy passie vir opleiding in WBHO uitgerol, en het na aftrede aansienlike waarde toegevoeg tot die ingenieurskursus by Universiteit van Pretoria.

Kobie was ‘n vriendelike en hartlike mens, en hy kan beskou word as een van die baanbrekers en ‘n gesiene reuse in konstruksiebestuur.  Kobie, ons gaan jou mis!

Carel van der Merwe

# data[].attributes.body
Spesiale Herinneringe

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was a remarkable person. Sometimes it was tough to work with him, but we quickly found our rythm.. he was a black and white kind of person.. no grey areas and that actually made it easier to work with him. We knew exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it. The best memories I had with your dad were with our Engineering schools. The guys got into trouble if they were not clean shaved and if their clothes were not ironed. We had to drive around with the bus to buy razors and I had to arrange with the hotel to borrow the guys their clothing irons. 🤣He also used a sword during our awards ceremonies where he would tell the guys that if he cuts them, their blood should pump blue and red. Their hearts should pump for WBHO. He had such a big heart and he was so passionate about WBHO. He will be missed but his legacy will live on forever. Sonette de Waal

# data[].attributes.body
Van Sonop,
Tot laat.
Al hoe meer kwaad.
Laat die byle huil!

Rus sag Oom Kobie.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop HK 1976 - Kobie BOTHA - Penningmeester

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sonop HK 1976 - Kobie Botha - Penningmeester.JPG

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop HK 1975 - Kobie BOTHA - Sosiaal en Werf

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sonop HK 1975 - Kobie Botha - Sosiaal en Werf.JPG

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Raad Voorsitters - gedenk ete Kobie BOTHA (1) - 27 Jul 2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Raad Voorsitters & Sonop Raad - gedenk ete Kobie BOTHA (2) - 27 Jul 2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Raad Voorsitters - gedenk ete Kobie BOTHA (3) - 27 Jul 2023

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Oud-Sonoppers - BOS-Dag - Kobie BOTHA - (1) 24 Sep 2022

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Oud-Sonoppers - BOS-Dag - Pierneef onthul - Kobie BOTHA - (2) 24 Sep 2022

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Here IX - VIII - VII - Kobie Botha - 1972

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop Maatskappy Vergadering - Kobie BOTHA - 23 Nov 2021.heic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sonop Maatskappy Vergadering - Kobie BOtHA - 23 Nov 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Sonop 105-Fees - Kobie BOTHA - 16 Nov 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sonop 105 Fees - Kobie BOTHA - 16 Nov 2021

# data[].attributes.body
'n Paar van my eie gedagtes en herinneringe oor Kobie:

Ek het hom ontmoet toe Danie Slabbert (Sonop Raad voorsitter 2010-2016) hom aanbeveel het vir Sonop Raad Voorsitter in Oktober 2016, en hy toe ook verkies is.
Ons het dadelik aanklank gevind. (Seker omrede ons albei ingenieurs is...).
Kobie se manier van werk was altyd bo verdenking.
Hy het nooit enige verskuilde agendas gehad nie.
Jy het altyd geweet waar jy met hom staan. Hy was op die punt af.
Hy het baie waarde geheg aan stiptelikheid. Hy het dit baie kere duidelik gestel dat hy dit in die weermag geleer het.
Sy projekbestuursvaardighede het my baie beïndruk.
Hy het altyd sy doelwitte duidelik uitgespel.
Hy het die span rondom hom geken en betrek in sy besluite.
Die tydsraamwerk en begroting het hy mooi bestuur.
Hy het strategiese visie gehad en het baie van Sonop se prosesse en bestuur strukture verbeter tot wat dit vandag is.
Enkele projekte om te noem is die Opwekker ("Generator") wat hy installeer het, en die Werkerskwartiere wat langsaan aangebou was.

Hy was altyd vriendelik en inskiklik teenoor almal. Sy kenmerkende glimlag sal ek altyd onthou.
Daarmee saam sy droë sin vir humor. Hy het ons gereeld laat lag met sy skerpsinnige opmerkings.

Kortom, hy was 'n uitstekende leier.

Kobie was 'n sterk gelowige mens. Sy kerk en gemeente, NG Kerk Stella straat, het hom na aan die hart gelê.

Kobie se gesin was vir hom baie kosbaar en hy was trots op sy twee dogters. Dit was goed om die mooi band tussen hom, Elsabe, Lienke en Carine te sien.

Ek het eers later by hom gehoor dat my skoonpa, Hannes de Beer, hom aangemoedig het om Sonop toe te kom. Hannes was op daai stadium getroud met Annemarie, neé Hoffman, wat ook soos Kobie, van Bethal afkomstig was. Annemarie se pa, Oom Hoffie het sy ander dogter Elfriede Tuks toe gebring en Kobie het 'n saamry geleentheid gekry. So is Kobie by Sonop afgelaai in sy eerstejaar.

Kobie het 'n mooi nalatenskap agtergelaat. Ons almal wat saam hom gewerk het, sal hom altyd onthou.
Ek wil hom eer en dankie sê vir wat hy vir Sonop gedoen het.
Ek wil vir hom ook dankie sê vir wat ek by hom geleer het. Oor die lewe en manier van werk. Ek is dankbaar ons lewenspaaie het gekruis.
Ek is ook die Vader dankbaar dat ek 'n week voor sy  afsterwe hom 'n laaste keer kon besoek. Hy was homself daai dag, met helder verstand en wakker oë. Ons kon 'n laaste keer groet.

Hy is te vroeg weggeneem van ons af. (Hoekom verskilmakers altyd vroeg sterf, is 'n misterie).

My innige meegevoel aan sy familie en naby vriende (Sonop vriende groep van hom, "Here IX", soos hul dit noem) in die tyd van hartseer en verlies.
Sterkte vir die tyd en tye wat voorlê.

Vir my is die mooiste kompliment wat mens ooit kan kry, dat jy 'n goeie mens is.
KOBIE WAS 'N GOEIE MENS.

Otto DIEDERICKS
Sonop Raad Voorsitter 2022-

# data[].attributes.body
As ek Kobie in my gedagtes sien, is dit met 'n glimlag op my sy gesig en 'n ondeunde vonkel in die oog.
Ons het hulle laas in Februarie gesien. Toe ek hom groet en hom 'n laaang druk gee sê hy, met daardie vonkel in die oog "dis só lekker, want ek kry sulke lekker drukkies van al die vrouens!"
Verder was daar 'n langnaweek in Ingwalala, 'n paar jaar gelede.... 'n heeeerlike naweek... ons het BÁÍÉ gelag! Neil, Mary, ek, Leon en Elsabé en Kobie, was saam.
Toe ons na die middagslapie op die laatmiddag rit wil vertrek, kan ek nie my blou baadjie vind nie... soek oral...kry dit uiteindelik... Aan my lyf!! Hy het my altyd daarna geterg... "het jy jou blou baadjie?!!
Sulke goeie herinneringe!
Ons was baie lief vir julle Kobie.
Liefde
Leon&Dalien Meyer

# data[].attributes.body
Dit is met hartseer wat ons afskeid neem van Kobie.
Ons ken mekaar al vanaf 1983. Saam begin vakansie hou in Outeniquastrand. Kinders nou al groot, maar hul het heerlik saam gekuier en geswem. Onthou die Beach Buggy wat veral met Kersfees die rondte gedoen het, met Vader Kersfees bo-op.
Kobie het deur die jare 'n getroue vriend gebly. Altyd dieselfde, vriendelik met 'n fyn humorsin.
Ons sal Kobie se stem en lag mis, mag hy sag rus in Jesus se arms.
Met liefde Boy, Mariana en kinders.

# data[].attributes.headline
IN GOOD MEMORY OF MY COLLEAGUE, MR KOBIE BOTHA

# data[].attributes.subject
IN GOOD MEMORY OF MY COLLEAGUE, MR KOBIE BOTHA

# data[].attributes.body
He was a great mentor, a pleasure to work with.

Elsabe, Lienka and Carine, may the memories of your husband/father help you find peace and comfort.

With a heavy heart I wish to give my sincere condolences to you.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

ELLIUS BOOI

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Elsabe, Lienka and Carine,

I was deeply saddened to hear of Kobie’s passing as we have known your family from the start of WBHO.

Kobie employed me at WBHO following my Dad’s passing and was a mentor, a leader, and a friend to me. His guidance, support and belief in me played a significant role in my professional growth and development at WBHO.

I will always be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to work with him and the WBHO team. His vision, wisdom and kindness inspired me to strive for excellence. He always had time for everyone. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, including mine.

Thank you Kobie for your leadership, your trust, and your friendship. You will be deeply missed, but your memory will continue to inspire me to work hard, aim high and make a positive impact.

Rest in peace, Kobie, my deepest condolences to your family and loved ones.

With love
Peter Dittberner

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was an inspirational leader, loyal colleague and one of my best friends in WBHO. A real gentleman with a great sense of humor.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Elsabe, Lienka, Carine and family
Terry (“Bondhond”) and Anne Armstrong

# data[].attributes.body
Kobie was 'n unieke kombinasie van 'n sterk leier en 'n karaktervolle persoon wat altyd die humor in enige situasie kon raaksien.

# data[].attributes.body
Dearest Dr Botha and family,

Most of us were not fortunate enough to personally meet Mr Botha, but we were able to witness the way in which his daughter so deeply loved and cared for him, making us realise what a truly remarkable man he was. We are sending our love, thoughts and prayers with you all today as you share in special memories, and bid him farewell. His wonderful legacy will continue to live on in you and your beautiful children. We love you, Dr Botha and although we are unable to be there in person- please know we are here with you in spirit.

# data[].attributes.body
I only met you recently and the time that we connected was maybe only an hour in total. Having said that you always greeted me like a long lost friend, welcomed me into your home, and asked thoughtful questions to get to know me better. While some of the conversations were pleasantries, you were always curiosity about my next travel plans, how my coaching business was going and how I was. You even shared some insights into engineering principles to widen my understanding and places that you considered must sees in Italy. I'm so sorry we didn't get to spend more time together. But know that you impacted my life in a way that I will always remember. Go well until we meet again

# data[].attributes.headline
This is a Farewell to a Visionary Leader, …an industry stalwart, but mostly…. to a man with a great Heart

 

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a Farewell to a Visionary Leader, …an industry stalwart, but mostly…. to a man with a great Heart

 

# data[].attributes.body
Elsabé, Lienka, en Karien - ek wil net my dankbaarheid uitspreek dat julle my die geleentheid vandag hier bied om namens WBHO ‘n hulde blyk aan Kobie te lewer,

Aangesien Kobie so baie mense se lewens aangeraak tydens sy 72 j op aarde, en hier so ‘n diverse groep familie, vriende en kollegas bymekaar is om sy lewe te vier, gaan ek, met julle toestemming, in Engels voortgaan.

This is a Farewell to a Visionary Leader, …an industry stalwart, but mostly…. to a man with a great Heart

It is with a heart heavy with grief, yet buoyed by the privilege of having known and worked under such an extraordinary leader and mentor, that I want to reflect on Kobie’s career and life at WBHO, the industry and beyond.

Kobie will always be synonymous with, not only the WBHO Roads & Earthworks Divison, but also the WBHO Group, growing it from one of the smaller players in the industry at the time he was appointed R&E Group MD around 2001, to one of the largest contractors in Southern Africa, by the time he retired in 2014.  He was instrumental in the success of this growth.

He started his career at a small consultancy in Pta in 1976, then spent a short while at the Planning Dept. of Water Affairs, before he found his true calling in the Construction industry.

First at Basil Read, but then after a number of interesting shake-ups in the industry during that time, he moved on to Peter Bayly Construction in 1981. During 1982 Peter Bayly merged with Wilson Holmes Construction to form Wilson Bayly Holmes. So in essence he has been a company man since 1981.

With his strong leadership qualities, military style belief in discipline, attention to detail and planning, and a cunning knack to build teams that will walk through fire for the cause, Kobie was an extremely successful contractor, whom quickly was promoted through the ranks to contracts director.

In 1995 Wilson Bayly Holmes merged with Ovcon and WBHO was listed on the JSE. At that stage the market in South Africa was quite slow, so Kobie was instrumental in diversifying the R&E division into new territories. At first they moved into Botswana, then Namibia, and later Swaziland and Lesotho over the next couple of years. He played a key role in making a success of these cross-border operations, show casing his entrepreneurial flair.

These tough and challenging working conditions show cased another of his true strengths.

Kobie stepped up in difficult times, backing his teams and going to the extra-ordinary to help and support these teams. When our team constructing a road in the Caprivi experienced serious difficulty and was under severe threat and actual attack during the late 1990, he went up in person to supported and lead the teams on the ground, from the front.

In 2001 Kobie was appointed Group MD for WBHO R&E at quite a challenging time in the group’s history. This was just after WBHO acquired Stocks Civils in 2000, which nearly doubled R&E turn over, but this came with a number of its own challenges.

Integrating a whole lot of extremely capable engineers / contractors who have been in senior positions at Stocks with the existing strong minded WBHO team could not have been easy, and many lessor men would have failed at this task. Kobie treated this take-over like a merger. Other mergers (think GLTA) proved this can be the start of the end for extremely capable entities.

As most of you know contractors can be quite strong minded, and some even stubborn characters, so Kobie had to navigate through this challenge merging the teams from WBHO & Stocks into one successful unit. His interpersonal and social skills forged a remarkable team of leaders, (on the WBHO side you had charismatic leaders like Peter Taylor and John Dittberner), and from Stocks the likes of Mike Sprott, Denis Bean and Willem Botha, who assumed key roles in operational divisions over the next decade. From this Stocks team the likes of Mike Kamyk and Taffy Harding also assumed key roles in the estimating and commercial services. To this day we still benefit from the contributions of Conradt Meyer, Jan van Tonder and Rory Cox to mention a few, whom has all come from the Stocks stable.

Kobie also embraced transformation early in his tenure, and in 2004 he was instrumental in supporting Edwin Construction when they were going through challenging times and making them part of the WBHO group. Again, his vision and leadership developed an extremely successful team at Edwin that took that company from a dire position to a very successful business unit.

Kobie’s continuous strategic thinking and team building supported the endeavours of Mike Sprott to expand into Tanzania at first and then later into Ghana and other West African countries like Sierra Leone. Similarly, he brought in Mike Adams to lead the Mozambique efforts. This all contributed to the continuous growth and sustainability of the business.

I think everybody here can concur Kobie embodied a rare blend of visionary leadership and genuine compassion. He was a Mentor to many young engineers, and he helped develop, and forge many in WBHO, but also in the industry in general.

Post his retirement from WBHO, he continued with this role of mentoring and coaching by assisting the University of Pretoria in developing their construction management modules, providing young students a practical insight into the construction industry – something that was lacking at tertiary level.

Kobie had an extremely strong character, who knew what he wanted, and believed in implementing systems and procedures to achieve his goals. When he walked into a room people noticed – and he naturally commanded respect and a presence.

But foremost Kobie was a people’s person, he saw potential where others saw limitations, opportunity in the face of challenges, and always, the inherent value in each person in his team.

Kobies’ approach to leadership was revolutionary, crafting a culture not of hierarchy but of collaboration, where each team member’s voice was valued, and every team member was empowered to contribute their best. Kobie was always on about working together as a team, and totally against operational silo’s.

As mentioned by a number of his piers on the Padlet posts Kobie’s team building events and Bosberaad’s were legendary. The planning and attention to detail that went into these events had a touch of military precision to it. But he could not achieve this without the support of Elsabe, and her finesse and gentle touches always shone through.

Kobie placed huge effort to get to know colleagues, and their families, and he made sure our spouses felt valued and special. He ensured everyone felt part of the larger WBHO team.

(continued)

# data[].attributes.headline
This is a Farewell to a Visionary Leader, …an industry stalwart, but mostly…. to a man with a great Heart

# data[].attributes.subject
This is a Farewell to a Visionary Leader, …an industry stalwart, but mostly…. to a man with a great Heart

# data[].attributes.body
(continued)......

Kobie’s legacy is multifaceted, a testament to a life lived with purpose and passion.

Beyond the achievements and accolades in his work life, what stands out most is the profound human impact Kobie made on the team he led, the industry, and the community he served.

Kobie was a champion for the under privileged, driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of giving back and making a difference in people’s lives that were not as fortunate and as blessed.

Please bear with me as I would like to relate an incident which I believe represents the true character of the man with the big heart.

A couple of years before his retirement, he bought Elsabe a nice new Mercedes and on one Saturday morning he accompanied her to the shops. He must have obviously felt guilty for not doing this regularly in the earlier parts of his career when he was mostly on sites on Saturday mornings, so I think he was trying to score some brownie points – and a lot of us can relate to this.

But the shopping soon became a bit tedious so he told Elsabe he will go and check up on the car while she is finishing off her shopping. While he was standing outside in the parking lot, he noticed a young man that came across quite destressed. The long and the short of the story is after enquiring about the young man’s angst it became clear it was his wedding day, but the plans made for the vehicle to take the bride to church has not transpired the way this youngster envisaged.

True to Kobie’s generosity he offered to be the chauffeur in Elsabe’s new vehicle. Arrangements were quickly made, Elsabe had to rush her shopping, as they had to get home, Kobie had to get the car cleaned, shower and shave (again) and dress up in his best suite to collect the bride (whom he has never met) and take her to the church.

Typically, as per Kobie’s personality, he arrived 7 minutes earlier than the time arranged, but parked outside on the verge, not to intrude on their big day. Later the bride and only her mom emerged from the house, Kobie politely opened the vehicle doors and took them to the church. On the way to the church, in his inquisitive, yet charming manner, he started a conversation with the bride, trying to set her nerves at ease on her big day. He learnt that she does not have anyone to walk her down the aisle, and so it ended with Kobie not only being the chauffeur on the day, ……but also walking her down the aisle.

This is testament to the man he was – always going the extra mile to help others and make them feel cherished & special.

I am sure all of you can relate to similar acts of kindness that you have witnessed from him.

In the face of adversity, including his battle with his illness, he demonstrated a resilience and strength that inspired all. He faced his diagnosis with the same grace and courage that characterized his approach to life and leadership, using it not as a cause for despair but as a platform to teach us even deeper lessons about courage, hope, and the indomitable human spirit.

As we bid farewell to Kobie, let us honour his memory by embodying the values he espoused. Let us continue to pursue excellence with integrity, to lead with empathy and kindness, and to live with a positive attitude. In doing so, we not only keep his spirit alive but also contribute to the lasting legacy Kobie has left behind.

To Elsabe, Lienka and Karien, I would like to thank you for supporting him during his tenure at WBHO – I know you have sacrificed a lot for many years that he was committed to the construction industry. But we have been privileged to be part of his team. We could always look up to him for leadership, guidance and support in the performance of our duties and responsibilities. We have lost a great leader. A man of integrity, and with unique qualities.

My most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you as his family, at this time of grief and loss.

God has called him to a better place.

“…What a guy…”