Milnerton residents are mourning the loss of community stalwart Joachim Fassmann who passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 29, after a short bout of ill health, surrounded by family.
Milnerton Crime Watch Trust (MCWT) member, Craig Pedersen, told Tabletalk that Mr Fassmann, 84, was always civic minded and quickly joined the neighbourhood watch and later became a key member of MCWT as it took form.
He was also part of the Milnerton Residents’ Association which started in 1992.
“He diligently grew the MCWT going door-to-door to sign up new members, functioning as patrol co-ordinator to ensure smooth shifts and a safer community. He remained actively involved with the Trust for many years and was a familiar face as he moved through the area affixing signboards and ensuring the newcomers to the area were welcomed and security focused.”
He said Mr Fassman emigrated to South Africa from Germany in the late 1970s and was a qualified electrician.
He quickly found his feet and established a power tool repair business that would come to be a landmark in Woodstock.
He then retired in the late 90s, said Mr Pedersen.
“Not one to rest in his retirement, Mr Fassmann rolled up his sleeves and joined the Blaauw- berg Animal Trust. Again he took to the streets of Milnerton, collecting books and household items to sell at the Milnerton Flea Market to raise funds for animals in need of care.”
“He was a well-respected and astute businessman, he moved to the Milnerton area in the 80s where he lived with his wife Tina,” he added.
In the late 2000s Mr Fassmann decided that a new adventure was on the cards. Already approaching the age of 70, he shipped his 4×4 vehicle to Hamburg, Germany, and then drove the 15 000km over six months down the east coast of Africa.
The tales of his stops in Syria, Ethiopia and Kenya became the true stuff of legends.
After the passing of his wife Tina, Mr Fassmann again felt the need to stretch his legs and travel and undertook several trips to Thailand – but always returned to South Africa and Milnerton which he called home, said Mr Pedersen.
“He will be remembered as a committed member of the community, with a sharp sense of humour and an adventurous love of life and everything it had to offer,” he said.
Several messages and posts flooded the MCWT Facebook page, with some people shocked at the death of Mr Fassman.
Others shared their many encounters with him, echoing one another’s comments of Mr Fassmann being “kind, friendly and a strong man.”
Peter David Wrensch wrote: “We were so fortunate to have him as part of an immense Milnerton Residents’ Association committee from about 1992.
“That was a fraught time with tensions running high and few recall Mayor van Staden being chased out of the Jansen Hall by irate residents.
“Mr Fassmann added a cool head and wisdom as we negotiated the tricky transition period to democracy when a great many wanted to preserve the status quo.
“The Milnerton Community Negotiating Forum was initiated by Martin Holland and was immensely successful. All parts of the wider Milnerton were represented and brought the diverse areas together.
“Through the contributions of many Milnerton was the first municipality to deliver brick and mortar social housing with electricity, water and sewage.
“He was at the forefront. He never missed a scheduled meeting and he attended each one as an observer and reported back.
“Tina and their boxers permitted him the time for active citizenry. He reported factually, accurately and only provided a personal opinion when decision time came. As the cliche goes: he put his money where his mouth is. The Fassmans contributed generously.
“Never seeking the limelight, he was a kingmaker and many chairmen are grateful that he was there in the trenches. His views were firm and he was loyal. A man of great integrity.
“He worked hard at his tool business in Roodebloem Road in Woodstock, yet found the time to give the community three decades of invaluable contributions.
“We loved his dry Germanic sense of humour and to this day often quote him: ‘German jokes are no laughing matter’. Sad to see him gone, but hugely grateful to have had the privilege of his friendship.”
