FACE 2 FACE /

With FC Van der Merwe Project manager for The Tree Fellows

Q AQ: Tell us about your occupation.

The Tree Fellows offers a wide range of products and services including tree felling, pruning, hedge trimming, garden services, site clearing, farm clearing, garage clearing, removal services. Our products are compost, potting soil, vermicompost, vermitea, firewood, bark (mulching), sawdust decorative tree stumps, bird feeders and parrot perches.

What is the most satisfying aspect of the work you do?

Working in and with nature. The Sunshine Coast is blessed with the most stunning nature scenes in South Africa.

What would recommend to a visitor to the Sunshine Coast?

My favourite activity would be diving the vibrant and colourful spots along the coast. Not many people know this, but the Fountains and Potholes have some of the best soft coral dive sites along the coast of South Africa.

Top of your bucket list?

Establishing a wildlife sanctuary that uses modern technology to safeguard plants and animals from ever-increasing human development.

What is your motto in life?

Live and let live. There is a place for everyone in the sun.

What keeps you motivated?

Constantly striving to improve and then recognising all the positive improvements all around me instead of focusing on the negatives.

What do you think could be done to address the high unemployment rate in our country?

Encourage entrepreneurship through training and mentorship. Assist the development of small to medium enterprises through structures and funding.

Do you think enough is being done to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet?

Not enough is being done. Each new development, whether domestic or commercial, should be encouraged to become self suffcient as far as electricity and water is concerned. The technology is out there. Port Alfred is an example of a town that was forced to harvest rainwater or go without. Cities and towns in the interior of the country are only now waking up to the concept of rainwater harvesting. Solar panels should be subsidised to encourage consumers to go off the grid.

What is your favourite music of all time? Everybody Hurts, R.E.O. Speedwagon.

What is the one item that is always in your fridge?

Cheese.

If you could be president of South Africa for one day?

Zero tolerance for corruption, fraud and mismanagement of taxpayer’s money. Long prison sentence without the option to pay fines or get parole for anyone in government who is found guilty of these offences. Initiate entrepreneurship programmes with the money recuperated from criminal activities. Initiate a programme that teaches fundamental values to the youth and public.