AFTER five decades of dedicated service, at Thrive, Kloof driver, Eric Mlaba is preparing to embark on his retirement journey.
Mlaba who has witnessed his share of changes in both the pharmacy and Kloof community started working at Thrive (formerly National Road Pharmacy) in April 1971.
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“When I started working here, this pharmacy was divided into two with one side being a salon,” he said.
His first employer at the pharmacy, Gerard Viger said it was a great honour to work with the devoted and faithful Mlaba.
“I just want to thank him for his long standing service and for sharing the years of his life as a member of Thrive. I thank Eric for not only having worked for me for 39 years but for always being reliable, honest and a good friend.
“Eric, I still cherish your annual birthday phone calls and although now old, I remember your day, and am able to reciprocate the wishes on your birthday,” said Viger.
Viger said his wish for Mlaba is that he enjoys his retirement and spends quality time with his children and grandchildren.
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Mlaba said he heard about the job at the pharmacy while working as a gardener for the late Keith Catto, the then headmaster of Kloof Primary School.
“My older brother worked as a merchandiser at SPAR. He taught me how to drive the motorbike as deliveries were done on bikes at that time. I worked side by side with the late Raymond Mkhize who also taught me a lot and became more than just a colleague and friend, but a brother,” he said.
Growing up as an orphan, Mlaba said he treasures the time he spent working as a gardener. “Mrs Catto taught me a lot of things including how to cook. They showed me love and that helped me become a responsible husband and father,” he said.
Current owner of Thrive, Lynda Bryant said she would wonder why Eric would spend a long time doing his deliveries until she discovered that he was having tea with many of the elderly customers who loved his company and friendly smile.
“Lately we have not been able to enjoy seeing Eric’s smile behind his mask, but we still get to see the twinkle in his eye.
“As he retires at the end of this month, after 50 years of service, we wish to thank him for his many years of service to our very special Kloof community. We wish you rest and happiness and hope that you enjoy many happy years with your family,” said Bryant.
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She said Mlaba’s tenure through the years could be measured by the different vehicles he has driven.
“From a motorbike in Mr V’s days to when Jane Zietsman took over the pharmacy in 1998, Eric was sighted often in his bright yellow Citi Golf delivering around Kloof.
“When I bought the pharmacy from Jane Zietsman in 2005, he upgraded to a white Citi Golf which he subsequently bought from the business and still uses as his personal vehicle, then through two different white Tazz vehicles and finally our Thrive bakkie,” said Bryant.
Clients who popped in to the pharmacy to bid farewell to the beloved Mlaba echoed the same sentiments and said they will miss Mlaba’s smile and wished him well for his future.
Mlaba thanked everyone who made his time at work pleasant. “I will miss the staff and the community. They were all like my family. They showed me nothing, but love and respect. A special thank you to my former employers and current employer.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
