Two of Welkom’s best known and beloved optometrists, Arri and Rhoda Vorster, will be leaving the Goldfields after virtually 40 years.
They came to Welkom in 1983 when Arri joined the pioneer optometrist in the Goldfields, Kurt Eggmund.
Kurt became the first optometrist in Welkom in 1955, and Arri joined him in 1985, 30 years later. They partnered and the practice then became Eggmund and Vorster.
After Kurt’s resignation it became Vorster and Partners, and recently it became Vorster and Deacon.
Now Arri passes the legacy forward to Betsie Deacon to carry on the practice.
Arri and Rhoda have literally looked into the eyes of thousands of people over the years.
Arri received the Louis Halse Award for dedicated Humanitarian Services to his fellow man from Lions International, and from Rotary International he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
Rhoda was given a certificate of appreciation from Lions International. The couple received these commendations for the years of service to the less fortunate people in the community with sight problems.
In 1985 Rhoda started Equip for Life.
This programme is specifically aimed at equipping people with life skills.
“The Goldfields has been so good to us. Wonderful people live here. We raised both our children, Nadia and Arno, here. Arno was born here, as were our two grandchildren, Henro and Vorster,” says Rhoda.
Arri has been an eager golf player over the years and as a member of the Ernest Oppenheimer Golf Club he belonged to both the Medics and the Wednesday Club there.
“We are leaving the Goldfields in body, but a large portion of our hearts will always remain here. We will still remain economically active in our beloved Welkom,” says Rhoda.
She says that when they arrived in Welkom in 1983, it was a great place to live and prosper in.
“It was clean and glorious. Please let the leaders restore Welkom to greatness once again.”
They are moving to the Western Cape to be close to their daughter.
“We have been very blessed in Welkom – we love Welkom – but now we enter a new season of our lives and leave behind very happy memories.
“Once you have experienced the heart of the Welkom people you truly leave with a very heavy heart,” says Rhoda.
