Willie started his own software development business in 1995 specialising in payroll systems. He was also involved in the development of a supplier base system for municipalities that was widely used in a number of municipalities across South Africa. “I was employed at Foskor from 1981 to 1990 as a qualified maintenance fitter and turner and progressed to the position of mechanical design draughtsman. “With the introduction of desktop computers and my technical background and interest in computer programming, I was transferred to the IT department as a computer technician and later as a computer programmer and systems analyst,” says Willie.
At the end of 1990, the family relocated to Willie’s birth town of Tzaneen where he took up a systems analyst position at Sapekoe. Willie’s wife, Martie, says he lost his sight over a period of 10 years, from full vision to 1 % vision. According to her, the doctor told them the cause may have been an injury during birth. “He could no longer conduct his programming career or normal life activities that we take for granted in a normal manner.” She says Willie acquired Zoom Text, a specialised software for visually impaired people.
“This may have been his most difficult life and career challenges ever adapting to alternative methods to continue with software development, even though he has very limited sight,” Martie says. Today Willie still is a passionate payroll software developer of PayWizard which is marketed and managed by his daughter Rosa Marais since 1997. “He also taught his eldest son programming,” says Martie. The couple has been married for 42 years and has three children and five grandchildren.
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“He is such a talented individual with a very wide general knowledge despite his disability,” Martie says. Willie was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. He went for a brachia therapy procedure and is still in remission. During a visit from his 6-year-old grandson, Lukas, during the March school recess this year, Lukas asked his grandfather for assistance to make a toy truck. As a keen woodworker hobbyist, the request has resulted in the design and manufacturing of wood toy trucks by the Botha family.
Due to Willie’s disability, he cannot operate any electrical woodworking tools without support. Therefore, under his close instructions and involvement, Martie assists him in the manufacturing, assembly, and marketing of toy trucks. “His invite to the Letaba Lions “Dine in the Dark” event as a guest speaker was used as an opportunity to showcase our handmade and hand-painted toy trucks through an auction wherein we could meaningful contributions to the fundraising event,” she added.
His grandson’s request triggered and kick-started the manufacture of something of value that others can embrace and enjoy, Martie says. “My grandson in his request for assistance, did not view his grandfather’s visual disability as a hindrance to making him something special,” says Willie. “It inspired me to do my best to comply with the request. It gave me renewed purpose in my life. Remember ‘nobody is as blind as someone who does not want to see,” he says. Willie obtained Protea colours as a kickboxing coach and administrator as his contribution to the community. His photo together with these of the couple’s children is on the wall of fame at Merensky.
