DURBAN North residents, Maurizio Dalle-Vedove and Chris Bishop have been friends for over 50 years. They met at six years old in their Grade 1 class in 1970 in the then Transvaal town, Carletonville.
“We were seated together in school and struck up a friendship,” recalled Bishop.
Fast forward 50 years and they are still best friends.
“In between, there’s a lot of history,” said Dalle-Vedove.
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While they remained close friends throughout their schooling years, Dalle-Vedove and Bishop went their separate ways after they matriculated. Dalle-Vedove moved to Durban where he studied at the then Natal University and Technikon of Natal from 1982 until 1988. He served in the army from 1988 until 1990.
Bishop stayed in Johannesburg to study at Wits University from 1982 until 1984, serving in the army from 1985 until 1987. He moved to Durban in 1988.
“We always kept in contact over the years,” said Dalle-Vedove.
In 1994, the long time friends reconnected as they settled in Durban North. Dalle-Vedove established a security business in the area and Bishop, a kitchen cupboard business. After selling his security business in 2014, Dalle-Vedove became real estate broker.
While their friendship was built on similar interests, mutual respect and trust has carried them over the years.
“In certain things, we were very similar, we both played rugby and enjoyed sports, although Maurizio played tennis and I played squash,” said Bishop.
“I think our friendship has lasted so long because of our sense of humour,” added Dalle-Vedove.
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They also credit their wives, Tracy Dalle-Vedove and Renee Bishop for supporting their friendship.
“Our families are fairly similar and we live in a small community,” said Bishop.
Their friendship has helped them to face life’s obstacles.
“We always had someone to bounce ideas off of. If I faced something out of the ordinary in business, for example, I could get his opinion on it,” said Bishop.
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