Memories of Chris Havenga | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Chris Havenga

Pretoria, South Africa

September 1, 1954 - July 23, 2021

Sep 1, 1954 - Jul 23, 2021

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Fredel Coetzee

1 September sal nooit weer dieselfde wees nie. Lentedag is die perfekte dag om n mens soos Chris se lewe te vier, so amper of dit saamvat wie hy was! Chris was so baie dinge vir so baie mense. Hy het so n groot impak in my lewe gehad. Vir Chris het n mens selde kwaad gesien, altyd n glimlag op sy gesig en reg vir n storie. Ek onthou altyd as ek gevra het hoe sy vakansie by Boesmansrivier was, dan sê hy: “ons het geëet tot ons vaak was, en geslaap tot ons honger was!”. Ek en hy kon so lekker gesels oor ons herhineringe van plaas lewe, en ons spyt dat ons kinders dit nie werklik kan beleef soos ons dit kon doen nie. Ons het ook n liefde vir lees gedeel, en gereeld gepraat oor skrywers soos PH Nortje en Doc Immelman ens. Chris het my kinders gesien groot word - ek het vir hom begin werk n maand voor ons oudste kind se geboorte en altyd n egte belangstelling gehad. Hy het my altyd geinspireer om n beter mens te wil wees. Chris, jou plek is leeg in ons harte. Sê hello vir my pa.

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Maureen Dickson

Comments:

Marna Havenga

Dankie dat hierdie Lentedag ekstra spesiaal gemaak is deur hierdie opregte woorde. Soveel aspekte van my ... Read more Dankie dat hierdie Lentedag ekstra spesiaal gemaak is deur hierdie opregte woorde. Soveel aspekte van my pa wat ek opnuut nou ... Read more Dankie dat hierdie Lentedag ekstra spesiaal gemaak ... Read more

Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

1991, Op pad Oostenryk toe vir 'n ski vakansie

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Maureen Dickson

Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

2018, Midlands Saddle and Trout, Hidcote, Mooi River, South Africa

'n Wyntjie vir die koue.

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Maureen Dickson

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Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

Chris Havenga - ons wonderlike vriend. Ons het net mooi herinneringe van die tye wat ons saam kon spandeer.... Read more Chris Havenga - ons wonderlike vriend. Ons het net mooi herinneringe van die tye wat ons saam kon spandeer. Chris Havenga - ons wonderlike vriend. Ons het net ... Read more

Marna Havenga

Daai knie kombersies lyk snoesig! Sulke mooi herinnering. Daai knie kombersies lyk snoesig! Sulke mooi herinnering. Daai knie kombersies lyk snoesig! Sulke mooi herinnering.... Read more

Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

1992, Ein Gedi woestyn & Ein Gev kibbutz, Israel

Die Suid-Afrikaners het 'n nag in die woestyn geslaap - aan die voet van Masada.

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Maureen Dickson

Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

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Maureen Dickson

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Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

Weekend in Ein Gev - Lake Tiberias - Israel Weekend in Ein Gev - Lake Tiberias - Israel Weekend in Ein Gev - Lake Tiberias - Israel

Philip & Magdaleen Smuts

Philip en Chris het aangemeld by die kibbutz en toe kry die ontvangsdame nie hulle name op die lys nie. Nodeloos... Read more Philip en Chris het aangemeld by die kibbutz en toe kry die ontvangsdame nie hulle name op die lys nie. Nodeloos om te se, sy ... Read more Philip en Chris het aangemeld by die kibbutz en toe... Read more

Marna Havenga

Hierdie bly skreeu snaaks! Hierdie bly skreeu snaaks! Hierdie bly skreeu snaaks!

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Stephan Myburgh

Jy sal in jou leeftyd verskeie mense ontmoet en teekom, maar daar is net een Chris Havenga. Ek het die voorreg gehad om saam met Chris die IT departement by CGCSA te begin. Van die beste werksjare in my lewe, bloot, omdat ek dit met Chris kon deel. Chris was a man of many words, always kind and lighthearted, even when he was serious. Everyone understood what an open-door policy meant with Chris, because when you got to Chris's office, chances are that there is already someone in his office, asking for advice or simply catching up. He loved everything to the max, his family, his friends and his faith. To me personally, Chris was instrumental in my life path and where I am today, always happy to chat or give advice, even after I left CGCSA to start my own ventures. A true friend and mentor. Ek kan nog steeds myself nie indink dat Chris regtig weg is nie, dit maak nie sin nie, en ek kan myself nie indink hoe dit vir Carien, Marna en Christiaan moet voel nie. Die wêreld is sonder enige twyfel 'n leer plek sonder Chris. Ek sien uit om hom eendag weer te sien, om verder te gesels en te lag oor ons lewe hierna. Vir nou, sal ons jou net mis.

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Maureen Dickson

Tarryn Daniels

Hat Day at work LOL!

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Comments:

Marna Havenga

LOL indeed! LOL indeed! LOL indeed!

Tarryn Daniels

Company social get together

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Tarryn Daniels

The IT team :)

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Tarryn Daniels

BokDay!

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Fredel Coetzee

Shared a heart

Wynand Roeloffze

2018, Moreleta Park

Omgee Groep Valentines Ete

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Marna Havenga

My pappa - deur Marna Havenga

Rus in Vrede, pappa.
My hart weet pa is Tuis.
Dankbaar vir elke koester oomblik en emmers vol genade.

Dankbaar vir elke 'soontjie', traan afvee, strand-stap geselsies, liedjie luister, 'lief vir jou', lawwe tye, toolboks towerkunsies, stywe drukke en pa se knipoog net vir my.

Die oproepe is al minder.
Die stilte in die huis oorverdowend.
Die vrieskas al voller.
Blomme net waar jy kyk.
Tyd staan vir 'n oomblik stil.
Met onherroeplike werklikheid.

Nogtans sal ek jubel en juig
Oor die Liefde wat van 'n vol lewe kan getuig.
Nou sal ek op hierdie nuwe kronkelpad wandel en weet:
Die lug lyk anders met iemand 'daar bo',
My Pa is stiltevrede,
En sal my eendag welkom heet.

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Johanlie Van Eeden

Marna, so mooi en weerloos. Jou Pappa Chris se lewe getuig van God se Vaderhart. 'n Voorreg om so iets ... Read more Marna, so mooi en weerloos. Jou Pappa Chris se lewe getuig van God se Vaderhart. 'n Voorreg om so iets ook deur jou aardse Pappa... Read more Marna, so mooi en weerloos. Jou Pappa Chris se lewe... Read more

Marna Havenga

Shared a heart

Phindy Sithole

Shared a heart

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Maureen Dickson

I too worked with Chris many years ago, however at our first encounter he made such an impression on me that I plucked up the courage one day to ask him if he ever had a space for me, that he please consider me to be part of his team. I believe that God puts people on your path not by accident but for a true purpose. It was not long after that and I did find myself as part of his team. Never before and never again have I been part of such a tight knit team as we were at GS1.
He always had the ability to encourage us to work to the best of our abilities but not loose humanity in the process. I will never forget all the kindness and advise that he was never afraid to share. I truly saw him as my work Dad - always setting the best example and having the right advise at the right time. He adored his children - with myself having a young family at the time, I would always have something to tell him first thing in the morning when I got to work about something Hannah or Seth had done , and he would then have his own special memory to share about his kids. I remember - Marna - when he showed me your matric farewell photo's - his chest was huge with pride and joy. And Christiaan - he would always brag about how extremely smart you were with the technical stuff - as he called it. I have been privileged to get to know you Carien a bit better - and if you ever wanted to find the most perfect power couple - that was you guys. Justin and I have always held you in the highest regard and have such fond memories of our visits. Carien, every year on the 1st of September, it wouldn't just feel like Chris's birthday , but for our team at work it would feel like Christmas as well. The delicious treats you always spoiled us with, were always a hit and can I say - Chris was always so proud of being able to share your handy work with us. Thank you for this beautiful platform to be able to share all the stories and memories. Our hearts are sad that we have lost this truly incredible person, colleague, friend and mentor but God is rejoicing as he has gained a very special angel. Please know that you are all in our hearts and prayers. Lots of love.

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Maureen Dickson

Comments:

Marna Havenga

What a special tribute to see how our dad impacted the GS1 team. You were truly his dream team xx What a special tribute to see how our dad impacted the GS1 team. You were truly his dream team xx What a special tribute to see how our dad impacted ... Read more

Maureen Dickson

Shared a heart

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Tarryn Daniels

Johannesburg, South Africa

I was fairly young when I started working alongside Chris at CGCSA, he was always this gentle man , slightly seen and hardly heard. I was fortunate to get to work much closer with Chris when he became the Head of GS1 South Africa and my direct line manager and so when all was said and done I was about 8 years in to learning an admirable man , one with a heart of gold , patient , consistent , respectable and so reliable.

If you asked Chris for a moment of his time , he would always stop whatever he was doing and allow you to close the door for a chat. A gentle ear and a reassuring smile always on the way in any situation. We shared a lot of laughs with our fellow colleague Sue everyday about something , we shared a section of the building , just us three and we were the tea squad , we loved having cups of tea , me and Sue used to serve him the tea and occasional yummy sweet treats like a cake or a donut. I used to make his tea with precision and he would always say it was a good cup of tea.

There was a particular time when I was going through a hard patch in my personal life and as a result became extremely ill with what I now know was IBS or Chrohns disease , Chris advised me that my absolute strength came from the Lord and he gave me scriptures that truly bolstered my faith , he gave me the space to deal with my illness and reassured me that everything would be there when I returned and was better . He also shared with me the best multivitamins which helped me so much . During this time I think the biggest issue I had as an employee was my battles with traffic and being a single mom at the time I struggled to be on time for work , Chris was patient , I would work late to make up for being late. The biggest thing I learned from Chris was always being on time , he arrived at the office everyday at around 6.15 like clockwork. Something you don't know Chris is that after your retired and I got myself together , I'm now the first person in the office everyday , just like you were . I learnt that the early bird catches the worm! :) Oh and I learned that the Gautrain does wonders :)
Thank you Chris . The day you retired , you read an extract to us from a book called "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective people" . I will never forget what you said there . You also shared another book with us sometime before , it was " Who moved my cheese?" all about adapting to change , I got it then and I get it now .
God spoke and you listened , you are now with your Creator and your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ . That is very comforting. Thanks Chris for teaching us , sharing with us , laughing with us . Thank you for the gardening advice , I only got that right now . We send our love and heartfelt sympathies to your family , we know its going to be hardest for them because you were the rock . I'm so glad that Sue and I chatted about you just two days before you went home to be with the Lord .
I sent you that message and you sounded so happy and full of life. The voice note you sent me just two days before your passing is how I will always remember you.

To the Havenga Family : "The Tree Has Fallen"

Rest in Perfect Peace Chris .

Tarryn Daniels

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Marna Havenga

Wow - how great to read about who my dad was in this context and the lessons learnt. Profound story. (Still... Read more Wow - how great to read about who my dad was in this context and the lessons learnt. Profound story. (Still have 'Who moved my... Read more Wow - how great to read about who my dad was in this... Read more

Marna Havenga

Chris Gedenkdiens Preek - Ds. Peet vd Berg

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Johanlie Van Eeden

Baie dankie. Ek het dit ook vir my ouers gestuur. Verstroostend. Baie dankie. Ek het dit ook vir my ouers gestuur. Verstroostend. Baie dankie. Ek het dit ook vir my ouers gestuur. ... Read more

Marna Havenga

Don't Cry - by Nathan Pacheco (Memorial Service Song)

Don't cry, don't cry though hope seems gone!
Don't cry, this battle still can be won!
And all these tears
That blind and cloud your days
Will fall to the ground
Your bitter fears will fade away
Hold on, until the journey’s end
Hold on, this broken heart, too, will mend
Reach out, I'll come and take your hand
One day, your darkest seas will lead to promise land

Hold on, let it pass you by
Hold on, don't quit
You've got the angels by your side
Your heart is strong enough
To see this battle won
Your faith will make the morning come

Don't cry, I'll see this journey through!
Don't cry, I'll cross through storms to find you!
And carry you home
To never go away
To rest from the storm
And find the joy that passes healing through the pain

Hold on, let it pass you by
Hold on, don't quit
You've got the angels by your side
Your heart is strong enough
To see this battle won
Your faith will make the morning come
Your faith will bring the rising sun

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Comments:

Johanlie Van Eeden

Pragtige vertroosting. "Your faith will make the morning come. Your faith will bring the rising sun." Pragtige vertroosting. "Your faith will make the morning come. Your faith will bring the rising sun." Pragtige vertroosting. "Your faith will make the morning... Read more

Theo Kleynhans

1992, Ramat Hasharon, Israel

The EXPERTS

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Riani Esterhuizen

Bob Keevers

So very sad to hear of Chris' passing. I had worked with Chris for many years at GS1 as a retailer. He was always passionate, dedicated about the work we were doing. Always so calm under pressure. It was such a pleasure knowing Chris and working with him.

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Piya Botha

Bob Keevers

Piya Botha

Shared a heart

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Tarryn Daniels

Shared a heart

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Piya Botha

An Ode to Oom Chris Havenga, 'If It Be Your Will' by Leonard Cohen. Our heartfelt condolences to the Havenga family.

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Comments:

Marna Havenga

Piya, we appreciate this SO much. This is GREAT. Piya, we appreciate this SO much. This is GREAT. Piya, we appreciate this SO much. This is GREAT.

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Created with love by Marna Havenga (Chris's daughter).

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