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At 73 years old, one would think Hendrik Jacobus Kleynhans would want nothing but to rest and spend his senior years catching up with old friends, and reading all the books he never had a chance to in his youth. However, Kleynhans has been busy writing books instead.
He’s always been determined to see his plans through. As a young and poverty-stricken teenager, Kleynhans had to drop out of high school in Grade 11 due to a lack of funds, but that was not enough to destroy the zeal for life inside him.
“I later obtained my matric with the help of Lyceum College, which awarded me a bursary for tertiary studies after obtaining a few distinctions,” he said.
“I then went on and achieved several academic degrees: B.Sc., BCom., an MBA (cum laude), and a doctorate in MBA – a DBA degree,” he added.
As if his academic success was not enough, Kleynhans boasts quite a few notable career accolades too.
“I designed and commissioned the gasifiers of Sasol Two, as well as engineering and installing the highest steel structure in the Southern Hemisphere in 1990. I also designed a dairy business and plant as the first business in the CDC (Coega Development Corporation). I managed to establish many products from new to market leaders, in a very short time. All the companies that I have managed to success still exist, so ‘sustainability’ is the name of the game.”
Additionally, Kleynhans worked for several companies abroad.
“I have seen it all and done it all. For example, I completed 10 Comrades Marathons, one silver. I have also completed more than 150 ultras,” he added.
Kleynhans goes by the pen name, “Tollie”, a childhood nickname, and has written five books – one of which, titled 78, has been published and is available for purchase on Amazon.
“I wrote this book because I have now retired from a busy and eventful life and spend most days doing absolutely nothing. The title of the book I got from friends, the Otters, who are 78 years old, and are intensely fearing the future. They feel lonely and neglected by all three of their children. Feeling desperate, they long to hear from their children, and three grandchildren. It is agonising being with them as they feel so lonely, and we feel impolite when we have to say goodbye to them,” Tollie explained.
The Otters’ story, according to Tollie, is unfortunately relatable to many senior citizens living in the country – most whose children and grandchildren have moved abroad and seldom visit or call them.
Tollie said that his book is written for the elders and their children. It is for the children to understand the needs of their parents and grandparents.
“Having my first-ever book published made me realise that I had to do it to stay sane, and also try to convince a few people that growing old asks for lots of love and attention from those whom the elders love. I just realise that no matter how great you were and how hard you have worked, it’s easy to grow old alone,” the author said.
Additionally, Tollie drove the point home that no matter how lovingly you bring up children, you need to remember they move into their own generation, which you will not be a part of.
“Also,plan for your funeral and medical costs. Lastly, it does not matter how hard you have worked, how qualified you are, or how important you were in your youth, you will need money,” he concluded.
Tollie’s book, 78, is available for purchase on Amazon, and costs R95.
To contact the author, email info@multimarketing.co.za
