Les and Elaine are at their happiest when in their cosy home with their two beagles in The Somerset with its stunning view towards Gordon’s Bay and the bays and mountains leading to Rooi Els and beyond.
But they have led, and still lead, a varied and exciting life. Les, from Pietermaritzburg and Elaine, from Kempton Park met at a company where they both worked in steel distribution. They eventually left to form their own company together which failed, leading to their losing all their possessions. Undaunted, they began again and built up what was to become one of the largest aluminium trading companies in South Africa with offices countrywide, GammingTrading . Eventually they sold this business to Argent Industrial Ltd, they began a new business casting taps and other bathroom fittings called Wuma. Les and Elaine have been working together for 40 years and have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. After selling Vuma thoughts turned to retirement, so they settled in Gordon’s Bay.
Retirement did not sit well with this dynamic couple, and they began another new business casting beads which they again sold, this time to a potjie pot manufacturer. On their vacations they had been for some years haring off into the wilds of Southern Africa camping out of their Landcruiser, the wilder and more remote the better. Face to face with lions in the camp, sheared off trailer wheels passing them on the road and breakdowns in remote bush locations, this couple have led an adventurous and much varied life. Then they decided to do something completely different!
One evening, while having a braai they ran out of beer and so to make sure they would never run out again, they decided to start their own brewery. Importing the necessary machinery from China they first found someone to install it. Next up was brewing, but clueless about the process, they hired an ex-SAB/Bavaria Brau brewmaster to start them off. Bottling, canning, the liquor trade, licenses it was all new to the couple but undaunted they plunged right in. Their first beer was an Irish Red which they started marketing at beer festivals. More varieties followed and realising that they were now actually making a lot of beer, they decided to set up a brewery at Henley on Klip south of Johannesburg. Brewery, pub, beer garden, all was ready then the Covid restrictions hit. Down for 2 years, but not out, they found ways to survive and when restrictions were lifted, Swagga Beer took off. So much so that expansion was called for, so they imported a still from China and began making gin.
Big ups and downs seem to be a part of this couple’s life. Two years ago Les was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder. It was eventually found to have spread throughout his body, and he was given about a year to live. Even chemo was considered useless, but their oncologist conceded to try one round. Before beginning though, Les and Elaine researched an alternate method of treating cancer that had been discovered some 90 years ago by Royal Raymond Rife, an American scientist. Using ultra-low frequency radio waves, Rife claimed that using a frequency that is the same as the cancer cells, it kills them. With nothing to lose, they found a doctor in Cape Town who offered the treatment. Miraculously Les is largely free of cancer now with his right pelvis still showing signs. Their oncologist was astounded! Elaine recently developed breast cancer and has also been cured with same process. The couple bought their own device and are now able to use it in the comfort of their own home. Born entrepreneurs, Les and Elaine are living the good life in their house in Aversham Lane at The Somerset. With street braais in the summer, and frequent visits to each other’s homes, the inhabitants in the street are all great friends and look out for each other. The couple are never bored, there’s always the Clubhouse and the larger Somerset West and surrounds to explore. With their never-give-up attitude, Les and Elaine are an incredible example to us all!
