Much-loved conservationist Dave Halle mourned
He was a first class equestrian who excelled at show jumping.
Passionate nature lover and conservationist David Halle (80), died peacefully last week, after a short illness – indignantly borne.
David, who packed everything he could into every minute of his days, was horrified to find himself incapacitated by ill health. However, he was consoled by the company of the birds that flocked to his much-loved indigenous garden. Incredibly in tune with the natural world, he was happiest in close contact with nature. He always was a great optimist and continued to find reasons to be grateful during his short, enforced rest.
Not long after moving to the South Coast in 1985, David and his late wife, Mary, made Southbroom their home. Popular residents, they lived happily there until about two and a half years ago, when Mary’s health faltered and they moved to Margate Retirement Village. Sadly Mary died not long after the move but David immersed himself in Village life.
Not surprising considering his phenomenal organisational skills, he served as chairman of the residents’ Activities Committee. His Village cottage with its shady veranda and its pretty surrounds, was his ‘happy place’.
Born in Pietermaritzburg in 1941, David attended Maritzburg College before embarking on a career path that combined the hospitality industry, his formidable people skills and his love of horses. He was a first class equestrian who excelled at show jumping.
He had a daughter, Angela, and a son, Pierre, from a previous marriage and in 1977, when he met and married Mary, he became the much-loved father figure and close friend to stepsons, Mark, Ian and Craig Adendorff. In 1985 David and Mary moved to the South Coast and he and his brother, Martin, bought Margate Furnishers. This prominent Margate business has remained a family concern since then and David earned a reputation as an ethical and well respected businessman.
In 2006 Mark bought Martin’s share of the business. Hardworking David eventually retired just two and a half years ago, handing over his share to JR Sulon.
It was in 1983 when David found an absorbing new interest. After watching Mark and Ian run the Comrades Marathon he decided he could do it too. It was the start of a brilliant running career that saw him completing 14 Comrades, some in the company of his three stepsons, and many other races. He was an active member of Striders Athletics Club, serving as chairman for about 15 years. In the late 1980s he was one of four Striders who won the Durban Marathon Veterans’ team event.
David will be best remembered for the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm he brought to conservation. He was instrumental in starting a number of successful conservancies and the South Coast Conservancy Forum.
Enormously persuasive and charming he was a brilliant and knowledgeable advocate for the green movement.
However, apart from waving fistfuls of invasive alien plants in the air and telling people to rid their gardens of these pests, or reminding them to recycle, he never really preached to people to look after their planet.
Instead, he made conservation fun. He came up with amazingly innovative ideas to encourage others to join him in observing nature, thereby teaching others to love and respect all aspects of the natural world. Anyone in his presence would be aware of the positive energy he radiated. Not surprisingly, his ideas were always great hits.
Hundreds of people took part in the beach walk series and the regular Walking in Nature (WIN) nature walks he initiated, bringing many into the environmental fold.
One of his favourite initiatives was DIG – Delight in Indigenous Gardening – and David did indeed take great delight in this new gardening philosophy. He adored being involved in a number of South Coast open indigenous garden shows, which raised a good deal of money for environmental projects too.
He could also tell open garden visitors the plants’ Zulu names. David spoke Zulu fluently and was passionate about the language he found so descriptive.
David leaves his daughter, Angela, son, Pierre, stepsons Mark, Ian and Craig and their families. He also leaves so many South Coast people who were honoured to be his friends. He will be remembered with much love and will be sorely missed.
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