It’s goodbye but not farewell for Malelane pub owners

After purchasing a house in Marloth Park in 2004, Joy Jones and Allan Hillier from Pretoria realised they wanted to stay in the Lowveld, so they started looking for a small business they could buy.

Jones said, “We found what was then Baldies Pub & Grill that was for sale, and we bought it. We had to change the name, and everything we came up with seemed to have been taken. One day we sat and wondered why there were quite a number of people in the pub, but no cars parked outside. That’s when I said to Allan it seemed the people in Malalane are ducking and diving, and that is actually where the name came from.

“Many nights were spent on the floor of the pub on a mattress so that we could be open early for rugby games. For quite a few years it was only Allan and I and the three employees whom we had taken over. Many renovations were done: we added the Upper Duck and created employment for more people.

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“We have met so many people during the past 17 years and five months, and it has been an amazing time. We focused on good-quality food and excellent service, and taught staff to be friendly and always put the customer first. We believe this is why we have succeeded for so many years. We tried to make everyone feel like family when they visited our establishment. As in any entertainment environment, we also had our fair share of people who didn’t want to behave or stick to any rules, and though this was hard to control, we believe we got it right most of the time.

“Our son, Gavin Jones, and daughter-in-law, Shireen, played a huge role in the business for many years, but unfortunately when Covid hit, our industry took a huge knock, and it certainly took a lot out of us and our employees. Because of the long-term effects that the pandemic had on the business, many things had to change, and it was a very stressful time for everyone involved. Gavin and Shireen chose a different path, and we know they will succeed on their journey.

“Allan and I, already in our 60s, felt that it was time to try and put the plans for retirement back in place, to take life a little easier, and to try and do some travelling with our little caravan. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so we felt the time was right to enjoy some of our golden years while we still can.

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“There are far too many people to thank or mention here, but we thank all our customers over the years, locals especially, for becoming part of our family, all the travellers from around the country, around Africa, and indeed around the rest of the world. We have many regulars who visit us annually from overseas, and they have also become good friends of ours.

“We tried to become valuable members of the community and we contributed with donations and sponsorships when we could, and they were all very good causes. The Lowveld is truly and wonderful place to live.

“We thank Gavin and Shireen for all their efforts, hard work and dedication, as well as all our staff over the years, the volunteers from overseas in the early days, the staff who now work for Anthony Mashego, the new owner, who we believe will still be there for many years.

“Thank you to all our suppliers for the great service and products you have supplied to us. We had great relationships with you all, and we’ll continue to support you in our retirement.

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“We would like to thank our landlords for the support, patience and understanding you afforded us during the Covid pandemic. For us, this meant a great deal, and we really appreciated it.

“So, to everyone who knows us, so long, bye-bye, it’s been a great journey, but every book must come to an end sometimes, and it is that time for us.

“In Allan’s famous words, ‘These are just four walls, but without you, the people, there wouldn’t be a Duck ‘n Dive!’ We now start a new book, and Anthony starts a new chapter in the history of Duck ‘n Dive. We will now be visiting as customers, so we’ll see you in the ‘pensioners corner’.”

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