Meet The Team: Marelise Hector
Spier is home to a diverse bunch of passionate people, doing what they love, and committed to making a difference every day. Marelise Hector is a farm supervisor at Spier’s Nooitgedacht farm near Paarl and has worked there for the last nine years. “Basically, we’re putting back into nature what nature is giving to us,” says Marelise. “I had never farmed organically till now. It’s a big responsibility: we don’t spray pesticide anymore to kill bugs.”
What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy being a supervisor – being able to learn new things every day. I’ve started doing a bit of administration which is a new career challenge for me. You’re never too old to learn anything in life. Farming organically is a big responsibility; I’ve never farmed this way before.
What’s the best thing about Spier?
Spier gives us a lot of opportunities. For example, the ILS (which can be used to pay for studies or for our children’s education) – which I don’t think other farms do. It’s amazing. This year I used the ILS to buy my son a new school uniform as he has just started high school.
What is your greatest strength?
Loving people.
How do you make a positive difference to the environment?
We’ve taught people that if your work area’s untidy, you should clean it up. Farming organically means we don’t spray pesticide anymore to kill bugs. Basically we’re putting back into nature what nature is giving to us.
How do you make a positive difference to your community?
We do various projects – for example we’ve given schoolkids in Wellington some gumboots and raincoats; we also gave them a gas stove and tanker. In Paarl we’ve donated gas hot plates to a crèche and wood to an old age home.
What’s the most valuable advice you’ve ever received?
My manager Heinrich is so lovable and an amazing boss. He constantly gives advice – like “Don’t be scared of anything” and “Strive to just do your best and take yourself to a limit you’ve never been.”
Who inspires you?
My late father was a great inspiration to me. He encouraged me to never give up easily, to always strive to do better. When he died at 76 he was still working.
What do you get up to when you’re not at work?
I love spending time with my kid – I take him to the shops, and walk through the town. We laugh and have something to eat if we feel like it.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would that be?
I would provide more jobs for the unemployed. I also hate to see a child in need and I hate to say no to a hungry child. I love to give to other people – if I have something I can share, then I will always share with someone else.
Where is your favourite part of the farm, and why is it your favourite?
The office – because I can sit there and do my admin. Not that I really love admin – it can get hard, but I try to do my best.
What’s your favourite season?
October – my birthday month. I love summer.
What’s the key to being happy in life?
You have to be lovable to yourself in order to be happy.
What are you proudest of having achieved?
I didn’t finish my schooling – I dropped out in grade 11, but I was so fortunate to come here and work on this farm because I’ve received many opportunities here. For instance, I’ve done computer courses, and have started a secretarial course. I didn’t have the money to pay for these, but Spier paid for them both. That I’m very proud of, I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me so far.