He was a remarkable person who left deep traces not only in Hermanus, but elsewhere in South Africa too.
Dawid Blignaut Mostert passed away on 13 May at the age of 87. Born on 11 January 1937, on a wine farm in the Paarl district, he matriculated in 1953 at Paarl Boys High and obtained a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stellenbosch University.
Mostert also obtained a MBA from Potchefstroom University and an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) from Harvard University. This course was attended by industry leaders across the world and on completion of the programme his peers awarded him best leader overall.
He was a born leader and his professional life is proof of that. Mostert joined Vecor in 1959 as a pupil engineer in Vanderbijlpark, where he also met the love of his life, Yvonne.
This young, talented Engineer designed a mine winder (hoist) mechanism to meet South Africa deep level mining requirements. This winder was patented, it contributed to the success of the company and the design is still being used and manufactured.
Mostert was approached by many to join them, but being loyal, he decided to remain with the company that gave him his first job opportunity. This company expanded, merged and developed new facilities in new locations, and he excelled in his job.
Vecor later merged with Dorman Long and others and became the largest engineering group in the Southern Hemisphere, renamed as Dorbyl. Mostert was promoted to Group Chief Executive of Dorbyl in 1985 and held the position to retirement from the group in 1994. Under his leadership Dorbyl reached its peak, and employed 30 000 people all over South Africa.
Mostert served on many boards of directors including: The Rembrandt Group, SIESFA, Stellenbosch Engineering Council, Eskom Electricity Council, Metkor Group and Winhold Group. He was also president of SIEFSA (the board responsible for the Metal Industry policies, pricing, standards and wage negotiations), a portfolio that alternates every year between a nominee from industry and from the unions. He was the president in 1989, nominated by industry, and the following year the unions nominated him as their president. This is a rare occurrence, a reflection of the respect and integrity he was renowned for.
He retired in 1999 and moved to Hermanus in 2007. Other hobbies include motor sport – he was a member of the Hermanus Car Club – classical music and he had a passion and vast knowledge of fynbos and indigenous trees.
The Mosterts were married for a happy 63 years and had three children, Peet, Mare-Louise and Davonne, and seven grand children.
A celebration-of-life service will be held at Hermanus Dutch Reformed church on Friday 24 May at 11:00.
