Farewell Lephalale, says security man

It is with mixed feelings that I write this letter. On the one hand, we are very excited about the wonderful opportunity and challenge ahead, but on the other hand we are very sad to leave.
The past eight years in Lephalale were our best years. We soon found that newcomers were not quickly accepted and trusted by the Lephalale community, but once won over, they will trust one with their lives.
We moved here from Johannesburg eight years ago after my brother in law, Cobus Nel, and other community members were injured while they assisted at an accident scene and a drunk driver crashed into the scene. Many families were affected by this accident, and I decided that there was an urgent need for support services in town.
I became involved at that stage Elcom Security Services later know ass ESS who provided alarm monitoring and response service to the community. Here I met Aldo Venter from EZT Communications who shared my passion for community involvement. The emergency radio network for the community was initiated and has since expanded to become one of the largest private networks in the country.
In 2009 Elcom Security was incorporated into Molalatau Security, the start of a great partnership with Theo Pistorius.
I hereby want to thank the whole community, my colleagues, friends and especially my family from my heart for their selfless support, loyalty and trust in me. A special thank you to Daleen, because she was the first one ready with the keys for the bakkie and a flash light when a call came through and ready with a cup of coffee at 03:00 in the morning when I arrived back at home.
I’m reluctant to mention names as everybody who walked the path in Lephalale with me are equally important to me. It was a wonderful learning experience and a privilege to be part of such a special community who stand as one in the blink of an eye when needed. There is a spirit of camaraderie in this town that I have not encountered elsewhere. It does not matter if it’s a wildfire, farm attack or puncture - the people stop and offer to help. Without the assistance and support of all these people I would not have been able to my part as I did. The decision to leave Lephalale was not easy, but in the end it was clear to us that this is the path chosen for us. We have made it a matter of prayer and everything just fell into place.
I would like to call on each and every one to support Theo Pistorius and his team at Molalatau security. They deserve the same trust, loyalty and support that I have experienced.
The saying goes that if water from the Mogol was consumed even once, you never want to leave here. So I am taking a 5liter bottle of Mogol water with and when it is finished I will have to come back and refill!
My current contact number remain in Lephalale, but I recommend phoning 0860 102 859 to contact the control room for any help and support. Ellisras-greetings to everyone - this does not mean that we will never see each other - we plan to visit regularly!
- Andries Bester

* Die gemeenskap van Lephalale word uitgenooi na ‘n afskeidsfunksie vir Andries Bester van Molalatau Sekuriteit by die Boskroeg, Saterdag 16 Februarie.
Verigtinge  begin 12:00 en elkeen word gevra om hul eie
eet- en drinkgoed saam te bring.