CORRIE and Norma Veldtman bought Amanzimtoti Electrical in May 1975. Originally the business known as Hill Electrical, in the Hill Building, opposite the Post Office.
The Hill Building was owned by the Hill family. Hill Electrical was run by Pat and Jo Hill for many years. It was then bought by John Hull. Hill Electrical became known as Hull Electrical, until Brian and Wendy Nicolay bought the business in 1973.
The business name was changed to Amanzimtoti Electrical in 1975 when the Veldtman’s bought it. They employed two electricians, a refrigeration and washing
machine man, a book-keeper and two shop assistants.
They also inherited a man every one remembers as August, surname not known. August went with the business, having started work with the Hills. He worked with the small appliances in the workshop.
He was often seen at the Red Cross Clinic in Warner Beach, run by Liz Campbell, collecting Oxygen for Connie’s and Noma’s son, Darryl. He always had a smile on his face and loved children. August died of an asthma attack in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
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Uncle Bob then worked on the small appliances. Other employees working there at one time or another were Dave Smith, Rod Todd, Jay Pillay, John Hibbs, Pat Holder, Ronny Naicker, Debbie Govender, Norman Minnart and Irene Govender.
When the Veldtmans first bought Amanzimtoti Electrical, Nale Estate Agents, run by the Nales, occupied the back third of the building.
They left in 1976, and Amanzimtoti Electrical took over the whole Hill Building. Norma had a little office that faced the workshop. Television came in 1976, and not without some hitches. Amanzimtoti Electrical was changed to Amanzimtoti Electrical and TV Pty Ltd.
Connie attended a course on TV aerial installation through the Post Office. Connie had repaired one particular woman’s television set and it was duly delivered to her. She refused to allow them to plug it in, insisting she could do it herself.
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The next morning the woman complained that her television no longer worked. Connie went to take a look, only to find the aerial not plugged in where it should have been.
The driver delivering the TV politely closed the door with the comment “too much noise she makes.” Norma’s parents had retired to Toti and her mother would often help in the shop.
Connie had a great sense of humour and on pay day, the first month, handed his mother-in-law a paper bag with ten small sweets in as her pay. In 1985, the Amanzimtoti Electrical’s lease for the Hill Building was up and the business moved to the Lagoon Centre in October.
The new store was flanked by a chemist and The Hub men’s store. Hills Hardware took over the Hill Building.
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