I attended eight schools, including Grey Primary, before my high school career at Grey. After my army year, I obtained a Quantity Surveying degree at the University of Port Elizabeth. I have been working as a registered Quantity Surveyor and am still practicing in Somerset West. I also spent two years in Umtata, living in a caravan.
I was President of the Helderberg Rotary Club, enjoy motorcycling and have done 325 000 km on four different big BMW motorcycles. I am still a good-weather motorcyclist, doing about 18000 km per year. In 2013, I was accepted to take part in the Cross Egypt Challenge, a 2400 km trip through the Sahara Desert in nine days.
I obtained Springbok colours in scuba diving (underwater navigation), ran 26 marathons, about 70 half-marathons, completed the Two Oceans marathon 5 times and have 5 Comrades Marathon bronze medals (the last one in 2000 at age 49).
I was one of three volunteers who initiated Somerset West parkrun in September 2016. I am a Board member of the AHI Western Cape, Council member of Business Western Cape and Board member of the Association of SA Quantity Surveyors.
Married to Christelle in 1984, with whom I have two sons and a daughter. Divorced in 1993 and am still single.
Pierre, who was one of the most loyal and committed members of the Class of ’68, sadly passed away on 29 March 2020. He will be fondly remembered. — Tom Ferreira