GORDON BENTLEY

gjabentley@gmail.com

BSc (QS) (U. KZ-N), Pr Qs, MAQS, AEP (Unisa)

Professional Quantity Surveyor and Advanced Executive Programme (Crash Course:"Master of Business Leadership" syllabus, 18 mths Part-Time)

Wild-life, Motor biking/touring with my wife, water colour painting, hunting (for the pot only), reading scientific works on the natural sciences, Tavelling in wildest Africa, and abroad to Europe, etc

We have done many 4x4 trips into Africa, notably: Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya - Masai Mara, Botswana Central Kalahari. We also go regularly up to a friends Game farm bordering and open to the Kruger Park at the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve - wonderful holidays because we do as we please, drive and walk around in the wilderness (at own risk) and do some hunting for the pot when hungry.

I was sent to DHS as boarder at the age of 12. We used to catch a train and and get to Durban the next day - wht an opportunity for mischief. Stuart Clarke used to catch the same train.
As a farm boy I was not too happy to be in the city and having to wear a blazer, tie and basher, particularly when I was used to wearing khaki shorts and shirt to school. But I got used it. I was not the best scholar in my early years. But I eventually buckled down to work in Matric and passed with a reasonable matric exemption

I was a terror in class 3 BA which had "Porky" teaching us Science. I used to cause mayhem in his class often . One day "Porky had enough and sent me to stand outside. While I was whistling happily I kept eye open for any passing Master. I thought I would use the outside toilets as an escape route for any trouble. I then decided I'd better get into the doorway as deep as possible so that I was hidden from view from passing problems. As I was repositioning my self I had not seen "Wrinkles" turning on to the verandah and was walking directly towards my position. In the mean time, all my jostling around at the door alerted "Porky, who came out to investigate. Now I was Done. Wrinkles arrived first and before I could complete my story about cramps and needing the toilet, "Porky" arrived and butted in. To cut a long story short, "Wrinkles" made an appointment for me to see him after school - and gave me a set of four viscous cuts.

PROFILE UPDATE HERE:
What with covid and the bad economic conditions in Lesotho. I resigned from my QS practice and only go through the border periodically. Although I still am a proflt sharing Director and have a property investment in Lesotho. My co-director Mohapi Makosholo still asks me occasionally to do Consultancy services for the practice, as needed.
I have also ceased my cattle farming activities at age 73. partially due the periodic droughts we were experiencing in the Free State. It was very Stressful trying to feed some 200 head of cattle during this time. I sold two of my big farms to my neighbour but kept my small farm (sub-division) with our house, in which we are still living.

I could not see ourselves living in a Townhouse after 35 years of living on a farm. We do have security - Electric fence, big German Shepherd dogs, burglar guards etc. I also could not leave my Solar Electricity installation, which works so well during blackouts (SA government x!!!xx).

My recent new interests: Rosemary and I have made application to join the San Parks honorary Rangers this will give us a lot of time in the Game parks which we can do together(good for relationships and time on our hands.

I have also started writing again. During my povert-stricken Varsity days I started writing Short Stories for magazines, etc. as a way to survive. I got many rejection slips but Bentley is determind. So I started studying stories to establish the formula for marketable short stories. I eventually cracked it. I submitted two short stories and got two acceptances by return of post. So i was away.
Ive got at least two novels in me - so who knows what might happen...

I went to University in Pietermaritzburg to do Veterinary Science (Graham Bell and Roy Morris were also at this campus). I had a very good social year and ended up only passing a few subjects.
My father decided to terminate my sponsored education at this stage (I was warned..) I then worked for some two years 24/7 as a Land Surveyor on the Orange River Scheme part at Addo Elephant Park and then mostly put myself through through a BSc degree in Quantity Surveying. I stayed on in the profession for a while in Durban. I lectured and tutored part-time at varsity for awhile. I then joined TDH Construction as a Director and Chief Quantity Surveyor. All the while hankering after getting back to my rural roots. I then got the position of managing an office for a UK based QS practice in Maseru, Lesotho. Not long after that I bought the practice and appointed a local Mosotho Partner, Mohapi Makosholo, and have been operating in this manner ever since 1985.
We lived in Maseru for some months and then bought a farm in the mountains of the beautiful Eastern Free state. I subsequently bought two adjoining farms and have now ended up with some 800 hectares (+/- 2,000 acres) of lovely farmland. I farm beef Cattle and Mutton Merino sheep. I also run a wool broking business on the farm.

I ride a 1000cc motor bike through the border to and from Maseru and the farm We feel priviledged to be able to live on a farm some 8km from a city and my office. We are very happy here. Life after retirement is described in the COMMENTS box.