PROUDMEMENTO

road closures or blockages, the threat of hijackings, diesel theft, having to offload to four or five customers on one journey and difficult cows.

“We transport livestock, so our trucks are in tip-top condition. We can’t afford breakdowns or accidents with live cargo, so maintenance runs into the thousands,” he said, adding that excellent drivers were a must.

The business was launched by Veenstra’s late brother, Gavin, in the 1980s.

When Gavin was murdered in a farm attack, Veenstra, who had joined the business earlier, took over. But he was still in his twenties and decided to travel – so left another brother, Peter, to run the farm.

Tragedy was to strike the Veenstra family yet again: on his 30th birthday, Peter was killed when the tractor he was driving overturned.

Barry returned and took over the operation, expanding the fleet and focus of Fryslan. Today it’s a thriving concern, and highly regarded in the agricultural community.

PICTURE: MARILYN BERNARD A rugby ball used in the 1995 World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand was presented to Clifton College in Durban yesterday. The ball was bought by Malls Tiles, which decided to present it to the school, to be displayed in the Barry...

Mooi River businessman Barry Veenstra is behind Fryslan Transport, one of KZN’s largest fleets of livestock transport trucks.