Family-run First Stop going strong after 27 years
It all started 27 years ago when Hester Wiese, her partner Louis Immelman, her son Ian Wiese and newborn granddaughter Marilyn Wiese arrived in Port Alfred on December 5 1995, at the Riverside caravan park.
“The month before we had sold everything we had in Welkom: our business, house, furniture.
“We had decided to travel and explore the country, starting from Port Alfred, and had planned to head up the coast to find a new place to call home, suitable to raise my granddaughter,” Wiese said.
“As it so happened, we fell in love with this beautiful little town and our journey ended right where it started – Port Alfred.
“A new chapter had now begun, with the intention of creating a beautiful and wholesome life for our family.”
In August 1996, the family bought a house at 15 Van Riebeek Street, now known as First Stop Lodge.
“It was simply our first stop on our voyage, and on the first street on the right as you enter Port Alfred from Port Elizabeth.
“Over the years, we slowly turned our new investment into a successful, running business, as a guest house. In 2000, I bought the house next door – 17 Van Riebeek Street.”
In 2007, Marilyn had finished grade 7 at Shaw Park Primary and the family moved to Gqeberha, where she completed her schooling.
Stepping in to keep the business alive was Wiese’s sister, Ivy Pretorius and her husband Peet Pretorius.
Having run the business successfully for 17 years, they have now retired, and Ian Wiese and his life partner Sanet Botha have agreed to purchase the business and have moved to Port Alfred to take over.
For 27 years, this business has been going strong, and this power couple are now giving it a much-needed makeover.
Alongside taking over the business, this multi-talented couple have careers of their own: Ian is a professional sports photographer and a programmer for multiple companies, the largest being DNC.
Sanet has her own business, Beyond Home Loans, and is now offering her services as a bond originator in both Port Alfred and Gqeberha,
“I have no doubt they will be adding immense value to the town and we trust they will be received with open arms by the community,” Hester Wiese said.