Steve Perrett was a friend and neighbour to many in Clovelly and was known as the one who could fix the most difficult IT problems in his workshop.
He was kind and always helpful beyond duty and donated second-hand computers to many schools in the valley, which included Bay Primary School, schools in Ocean View and in Masiphumelele.
To even more he was known as the co-founder of the South Peninsula Community Forum, and he was active in his community for decades.
He was also a strong part of the Clovelly Neighbourhood Watch.
He repeatedly made suggestions to our local officials to improve the living conditions in the wetlands informal settlement in Masiphumelele, and his background as an experienced engineer certainly helped.
Born Stephen Anthony Perrett in London on December 9, 1950, he came with his parents to South Africa, his father searching for work.
Not everything was easy in the beginning, and young Steve moved a few times back and forth between the UK and South Africa until he finally settled here. At a family gathering in 1978, he met Estelle Hornby, of Uitenhage.
“And he never left again…” Estelle later said with a smile.
Both settled in Clovelly in 1986 in the first house with a beautiful view of the beach.
Whenever you visited Steve or Stel at home, you were also greeted by their dogs and cats and parrot Wally… and over many years even by two famous geese in their garden.
Above all, Steve always helped others without many words. He did careful research on how to improve the lives of those less fortunate.
It was in the week before Christmas that we met to study plans to build a new road through the Masi wetlands, presenting maps which had not been made public yet. On this day, he was more tired than usual, but “nothing serious”, he said.
Two days later, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. All went so quickly since then. Steve died on Wednesday January 23 just before noon at Mediclinic Constantiaberg.
Our condolences go to his wife, Estelle, and all members of their family.
Thank you, Steve, for being a great friend and wonderful neighbour to many in our valley. Rest in peace, Steve.
The family wishes to thank everyone for condolences received and the date of the memorial service will be confirmed.
