By John Ackermann, founder of SARDA
Piet le Roux (1951–2026) was a visionary engineer, entrepreneur and SAIRAC leader whose dedication, precision and integrity left a lasting legacy in both his profession and the lives of all who knew him.
Piet le Roux at FRIGAIR 2015. Supplied by John Ackermann
There were many sides to the diversified life of Piet le Roux, all done with commitment and with attention to the finest detail. From an early age, Piet had a fascination for cars and later built his own racing car. His improvisation skills were unlimited and at one stage he was known in the motoring fraternity as ‘Piet Piston’.
Piet did his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic and passed his trade test at the Olifantsfontein Trade Test Centre. He later set his sights on gaining a university degree, but after some months, he became bored as he felt his talents could better be developed elsewhere.
With his acquired skills, he was engaged in the layout of processing and production plants at Oshkosh in Wellington Cape, United Dairies in Port Elizabeth and the Volkswagen assembly plant in Uitenhage.
In January 1996, Piet joined SAIRAC (membership number 2805) because of his belief in the aims and principles of the institution and by the encouragement of his peers in the fan and ventilation sector. From the early days of his membership, Piet was proactive and keen to play a vital role.
In 2004, Piet was elected as chairman of the Port Elizabeth centre and served in that leadership role until 2007. The centre thrived under Piet’s leadership. A further recognition of his integrity came by his election as the national president of SAIRAC in August 2007. Being from the smallest centre by virtue of number of members, his election as national president was an outstanding achievement, which he also considered as a great milestone in his career.
In that role, Piet spent many of his valuable leisure hours upgrading the management structure of the institution and the tracking of membership development. Piet condensed all these valuable developments into what became the Operating Procedures Manual (OPM) circulated to all national council members and the centre committees. The OPM became a living document with frequent updates. At the end of his first year of office as national president, Piet was unanimously re-elected for a second term.
The OPM developed by Piet was of such importance that a change in constitution was proposed by Alan Gaia to allow Piet to serve as national president for an unprecedented third consecutive year to complete the project that he had initiated. By ballot, the members approved the amendment, and Piet completed his third term.
Long after his term as national president, Piet remained an ardent supporter of SAIRAC activities and events. In March 2009, after being a member for 13 years, he was made a Fellow of SAIRAC.
When not engaged in his daily business, SAIRAC matters, or his devotion to his family, he closely followed trends in the global economy and meticulously traded on the stock exchange.
Piet was so particular in his daily activities – to the extent that his family could predict the route and time of his daily walk, the feeding of his dog, the time for leaving home and his chores when returning in the evening.
Piet had no reservation in tackling new ventures. At one stage he decided to gain his pilot licence for light aircrafts, which he achieved and ensured that he maintained the requirements for a valid licence.
His entrepreneurial flair got the better of him, and he started importing fans for distribution throughout South Africa. This venture developed into a thriving business until he became frustrated with all of the red tape around customs clearance, duty tariffs and shipping delays, so he terminated the business.
He then embarked in the corporate life, joining MC Designs & Contracting Services in Port Elizabeth as the marketing director. His professionalism, technical expertise, practical experience and negotiating skills gained the highest respect from his workplace colleagues and clients across South Africa.
To describe Piet as being a perfectionist is an understatement.
In the words of Derrick Truscott, “Piet was a highly intelligent engineer that wanted to be an economist. His diligence challenged many peers, as nothing was complete until perfect.”
At his memorial service, the family warmth for Piet – among his wife, Heloise, two daughters with their husbands and grandchildren – bore testimony to the character of Piet as a beloved family man.
Piet le Roux has left deep footsteps in the sand of life’s shoreline. The tide may ebb and flow, but Piet’s footsteps will remain, and forever be, inspirational to all that had the pleasure of his friendship and his company as a colleague.
The only sad chapter in Piet’s life was that he suffered with poor health before his passing.
My deepest sympathy to Heloise and family, may you all find comfort in knowing that Piet will be fondly remembered for decades.
Rest in peace Piet, after your long mortal life that has left the world a better place.
