Obituary
TRAVEL industry icon,
Matie Geldenhuys,
died on June 9 after
an illness. He was 72
years old.
Matie, who held a
BCom Honours Degree
from the University of
Stellenbosch, started
his career in the
banking sector. He
joined Indo Travel in
1978, and founded
Maties Travel with his
wife, Benny, in 1981.
He was known as
someone who treated
all staff with respect,
paying no attention to
hierarchies. Matie was
passionate about travel
and would inspire and
sponsor his staff to
explore the world,
says Arno van der
Merwe, gm of Maties
Travel. “We are all just
travellers of this world,”
Matie said frequently.
He was a people’s
person with a big
heart. “He was strong,
humorous and brought
an explosion of positive
energy to the lives of
others,” says Arno.
“Matie was a legend
in the travel industry.
Although we were
in competition with
one another, he was
my colleague and a
person that always
earned the respect
of the people around
him,” says ex-owner
of Indo Jet Travel,
Jannie Gildenhuys, who
remained a firm friend
after meeting on a
rugby tour in 1974.
Jan Jenkins, md of
Umvuselelo adds:
“He was a true
character, gentleman
and professional. The
industry is a sadder
place without him.”
“Heartbreaking. I called
Matie a friend, mentor
and boss,” says Ronel
Blom, who worked with
Matie for 26 years and
says he taught her
everything she knows.
