Lawyer and friend to Benoni

BCT: Where were you raised and educated?

JM: I was raised in Airfield, which was suburb of young people and the children within a proximate age.

The mothers meted out punishment to all, as they believed fit, so it was like being brought up in a village, by a village.

We were less supervised than children of today and were free to ride bicycles and roam the streets of Benoni without modern concerns.

Large tracts of open land were our playgrounds in which every conceivable fantasy existed and our minds could explore them unfettered by supervision.

I attended Tom Newby and Benoni High, matriculating in 1971.

After leaving school, I spent a year in the Air Force, where after I studied law at Wits University.

Through taking extra subjects and serving articles simultaneously, while studying, I was able to qualify as an attorney within four years.

I held many part time jobs; a waiter at the TA54 Steakhouse; core layer, production moulder and laboratory assistant in a foundry and I sold garage doors on a door-to-door basis.

I qualified at 22 and worked for 38 years for Malherbe Rigg & Ranwell, as a litigation and commercial attorney.

BCT: Tell us about your personal life?

JM: I married my soulmate, Sally Matthee, 39 years ago. We have a daughter, Samantha Holle, who is a psychologist in Benoni, and a son, Justin Matthee, who lives in Parkhurst. Having graduated with a BSc Building Science degree, he works in construction.

We are blessed with three grandchildren, Julia Holle (6), Emma Holle (3) and Jade Matthee (three months).

I, happily, still have my mother, Audrey Matthee (87).

BCT: What are your interests?

JM: I enjoy reading, riding my motorbike and bicycle, hiking, attending gym, travelling in SA and abroad.

I love the Kgalagadi and the Kruger Park, where I have served as an Honorary Game Ranger.

My true passion, however, is spending time with family and friends.

BCT: Tell us about your achievements?

JM: I have served as: a Small Claims Court Commissioner; chairman of FAMSA; chairman of Kids Haven; District Disciplinary Registrar of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa; Trustee for Retina SA; member of the Peace Secretariat during the 1994 elections; a Rotarian and president of Benoni van Ryn Rotary Club from 1999 to 2000.

Rotary awarded me a Paul Harris and Paul Harris Sapphire Award.

In 2007 I was given the Boksburg Community Service award and, in 2008, was voted Boksburg’s Top Professional.

I currently serve the Law Society on both their disciplinary and examination panels, as well as running the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra.

Also read: Nicky Rehbock loves her town

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