A Tribute to David Rawdon

Posted Tue, 17 Aug 2010 (18 months ago)

Portfolio Collection founder and CEO Liz Westby-Nunn writes a tribute to one of South Africa's hospitality industry greats - Mr David Rawdon.

David Rawdon (85) died on Friday, 13 August 2010. David was the quintessential entrepreneur whose pioneering spirit as a visionary, hotelier and talented interior decorator saw first the creation of Rawdon’s Country House in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands – the first of the Country House hotels in South Africa. David then sold Rawdon’s and acquired and developed Lanzerac near Stellenbosch in the Cape, which was the first Country House in the Cape and became the place to visit. David also purchased and redeveloped The Marine Hotel in Hermanus.

Image of David Rawdon from Matjies Show and Tell Blog

Many well-known personalities of the hospitality industry in South Africa have been trained by David Rawdon during their tenures at Rawdons, Lanzerac, The Marine Hotel or Matjiesfontein. David’s great understanding and love of history and interior design created exceptional places and Matjiesfontein is certainly the place where David Rawdon’s incredible creative passions found a home, and many faithful followers. David acquired the entire village of Matjiesfontein during the late 1960s and, after detailed and loving restoration work, Matjiesfontein and the Lord Milner Hotel re-opened in 1970. David then sold both Lanzerac and The Marine to focus on Matjiesfontein.

Matjiesfontein Transport Museum - Image by Gary Bembridge. CC license

In its heyday, Matjiesfontein offered the best in hospitality to an eclectic mix of visitors, and over the years many rich and famous folk have visited the Village. Matjiesfontein is a National Heritage Site, and is a wonderful tribute to its original founder James Logan and to David Rawdon, whose love and dedication have ensured that the spirit of Matjiesfontein lives on.

My first recollection of Matjiesfontein was in 1976, when we spent an unforgettable weekend there with the family. Matjiesfontein was established in 1884 by a young Scottish immigrant, James Logan – Matjiesfontein was a railway stop on the line to Kimberley, and seeing the benefits of the invigorating dry Karoo air for lung ailments, Logan set about establishing a ‘watering hole’ for the well-heeled and soon the likes of Olive Schreiner, Randolph Churchill and Rudyard Kipling were visitors. Olive Schreiner lived in Matjiesfontein in her own cottage for a number of years. With this cast of characters, who could resist the history of the Anglo-Boer War, walking across the vast plains in the early morning of the Karoo finding scraps of metal from the thousands of British soldiers camped there during the Anglo Boer War? But perhaps the best experience was the Village itself, where the living cast of characters, both staff and guests made for memorable days and convivial evenings in the fabulous little pub, or the unforgettable David Rawdon dessert buffets in the main Dining Room of the Lord Milner Hotel - where dressing for dinner was still de rigueur in 1976.

Matjiesfontein Post Office - Image by Gary Bembridge. CC license

Thank you David, for creating such an exceptional and extraordinary place, a place which has created so many happy memories for so many of us. May your final journey be a time of well earned and well deserved rest.

Liz Westby-Nunn

(Thumbnail image of the Lord Milner Hotel (top) by flowcomm. CC Licence)

22 Responses to A Tribute to David Rawdon

Together with my mother, Joan du Plooy, we walked a most interesting and fun-filled path with David in the run-up to the opening of Matjesfontein, and for its first 7 years of operation. David's funloving spirit and pure naughtiness ignited all who shared the beautiful village with him, albeit for a weekend, week or couple of weeks. The first Christmas after opening in 1970 was a rip-roaring affair with the village filled with family and friends, none of whom had to pay for the pure joy and revelry experienced. Our children grew up there, with Mathieu being baptized in the lounge and Clare was the first to be baptised in the Chapel (a converted coalshed). Joan's ashes were scattered in the gardens near the swimming pool in the mid 1990's and I sure she was awaiting David's arrival with great anticipation. Right now they are most probably enjoying a whisky in that great lounge up in the sky . . . Fondly remembered by Margie, Barry, Mathieu, Clare, Thomas and Katherine

By Barry du Plooy (18 months ago)

I looked straight into this man's eyes when I stood inside the Matjesfontein Hotel in early July 2010, I could see he was someone to be reckoned with. RIP and condolences.

By Colleen Figg (18 months ago)

David Rawdon and my father-in-law, Robert McGregor, were cousins. Robert and his wife Comfort worked at Lanzerac Hotel for many years, as did my Grandmother, Marjorie Bond-Smith. Hamish and I met there, got married there, have produced four now quite grown up children and celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this year. I am quite sure that Marjorie is joining David with Joan and Comfort and Robert for that long awaited whiskey in that great lounge in the sky! Enjoy, with love Lisa, Hamish and family

By Lisa McGregor (18 months ago)

I was the bookkeeper for the village from 1997 to 1999 and it with great sadness that I learnt of his passing. It is truly the end of an era. I may not live there anymore but Matjiesfontein will always be in my heart. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. He was truly a great man and will be missed. I look forward to my next visit where I will raise a glass to him in the Laird's Arms. RIP

By Kathryn Fautley (18 months ago)

I was fortunate enough t have shared many a great time at Matjiesfontein with Dave's niece and nephews. Dave was always full of fun and generosity. I was very lucky to have been invited to a special New Year celebration at the opening of Dave's famous car museum at Matjiesfontein. What a special place and what a special man. Rest in peace and enjoy endless good times with your friends up in the great lounge in the sky.

By Andrea (18 months ago)

I was fortunate to have worked for David staring the day I left school in 1974. I was paid R80.00 per month and after deductions put R54.00 in my back pocket....a lot of money for a 17 year old. Food and accommodation was included.
I met my wife Jenny at Matjiesfontein and we were married in the Chapel in 1981. David was our M.C.
David was a brilliant hotelier, fun to work for and up until his death took a special interest in my life......a GREAT man!

By Patrick Shorten (18 months ago)

Rest in peace

By Martin - Hermanus (18 months ago)

What a man! My first memory of Uncle David was way back in the early 60's when he arrived at our farm in Stellenbosch, loaded my brother Rob and I up in the dickie seat of his big green car and drove the family down to the sea. He was so exciting to have around and my childhood was a magical time, especially the school holidays at riding school and at Matjiesfontein. His sense of humour, kindness and great stories will always be very fondly remembered. Also his kindness to my parents Robert and Comfort McGregor.
May the party continue! RIP
Tinki

By Tinki Kellerman nee McGregor (18 months ago)

I joined Lanzerac in 1964 and spent 10 of the happiest working years of my life
as a young manager & felt grateful to have been given the opportunity of keeping
the Hotel productive during the period he was reconstructing Matjiesfontein.......
a wonderfully inspirational man to work for. Your rest well deserved.
Condolences to his remaining family.
Graham Hughes ( 1964 - 1974 )

By Graham HUGHES (18 months ago)

Some wonderful laughs were had one Monday when David and Margie set off from Matjesfontein in the vintage hearse to deliver it to Cape Town. David, resplendent in top hat and tailcoat, had to make several trips into the Du Toit's Kloof river to fetch water to refill the radiator which had been boiling intermittently on the trip. The highpoint of the journey was driving slowly up Long Street to the great amusement of the many bystanders.
We remember with fondness the 'raids' on the 11pm passenger train headed for Cape Town, where we would all tear out of the pub, across the road onto the platform with bugles blaring to rouse the sleepy occupants and wish them a Merry Christmas or whatever the occasion was. David's spiritedness rallied the whole village on many an escapade. Its that spiritedness that we will so fondly remember.

By Barry du Plooy (18 months ago)

Can anyne tell me what happened to David's brother Graham. I knew him when he was still at the Nottingham Road Hotel.

(Previous comment I typed my email address incorrectly)

By Jenny Martens (18 months ago)

I first met David Rawdon in April of 1966 and started working for him as a trainee at Lanzerac where I worked for 3 years at a salary of R60 a month.

When I went for my interview, he appeared from the kitchen wearing an apron and I shook his hand, the back of it was covered in chocolate mousse!

As I got to know him better and realised he was the consummate practical joker, I knew that he had spread the chocolate there in order to get it on my hand.

David was the creator of the luxury country house hotel, long before such places existed in South Africa.

He was a superb interior decorator and had the most wonderful eye for putting pieces together but never seemed to get the dressing table mirrors at the right angle, they looked good, but he never sat at them! His designing skills were used by Dr Anton Rupert at The Bergkelder when it first opened and at Fleur du Cap. Kelvin Grove in Newlands and the Tongaat house Amazimyama also benefitted from his tasteful touch.

His food ideas were way ahead of his time - the Lanzerac Sunday night Buffets at R1.75 a head were booked out - in writing - three months in advance. The legendary Lanzerac Cheese lunch which included soup, a glass of wine and coffee cost 95 cents. Many a Stellenbosch Student filled up on these lunches.

Guests included Bobby and Ethel Kennedy - I was later to meet Ethel again in 1996 when she returned on the 30th anniversary of her visit. Musicians like Stefan Grapelli, Narciso Yepes, writers like Elspeth Huxley and theatre people like Dame Edith Evans and Joyce Grenfell, famous sportsmen and academics - he knew them all as personal friends.

Matjiesfontein and the Marine followed and the rest as they say is history.

For my whole life I have done things the way David taught me, making too many dining room chairs disappear in the same room by placing them strategically, positioning ornaments, hanging of pictures in acceptable groups. My skills behind the stove and as a restaurateur where all acquired from this amazingly special man.

Though I never put chocolate on the back of my hand when I met someone.

He had a great life, and left a wonderful legacy and so many happy memories of his hospitality, his love of a funny story and more than the occasional tot of whisky.

I feel such gratitude that our lives touched each other over such a long time - he was a loyal and loving friend.

By Michael Olivier (18 months ago)

Thank you to everyone for your kind words for our dear and beloved David - for capturing the essence of a brother and uncle that meant so much, and loved and gave so much.

David has left Matjiesfontein as his legacy - an icon in South African history. His passion allowed the idyllic village, created by Logan in the late 1890s, to be preserved in its entirety as a National Heritage Site. As it did with Logan, the limitless Karoo and Matjiesfontein cast their spell, and it was here that David spent much of his later years, continuing to command the Lord Milner Hotel, seated as in the photo above, until just days before his passing at age 86.

A further sad loss for our family was earlier this year when David's brother Graham died suddenly at his home in Sebrazac, France. They shared so much having opened Rawdon's Hotel in Nottingham Road together, before David headed to the Cape and Lanzerac. Graham would at times be prized out of the French countryside to 'spice up' the menu at the Lord Milner, and it was of these times that we have such fond memories.

For us, Matjiesfontein was a magical place of fun and naughtiness, where champagne was served on the stoep at the drop of a hat, where practical jokes and stories abounded, where we went for picnics in the veld in the London double decker bus, or escaped with Uncle doing 'take-offs' down the Sutherland road in his old Rolls Royce - it captures a lifetime of fond memories of a man that was larger than life, and meant the world to us.

David's legacy will live on and grow, to support the community he loved.

David's ashes will be scattered at a memorial service to be held at Matjiesfontein on the 9th September.

Thank you all once again for your kind thoughts, and for bringing back such happy memories of a life lived to the full.

The Rawdon Family (posted by Thomas Rawdon)

By Thomas Rawdon (18 months ago)

Thomas - thanks for the kind note. I am sad to hear about Graham, he was a great character. I met you as a little boy in about 1968 when I was working at Lanzerac. Please can you let me have Benj and Annette's address or email. Mine is michaelolivier@iafrica.com. My website is www.michaelolivier.co.za. You still working as a vet somewhere in England? And where is Sian?

By Michael Olivier (18 months ago)

i will always remeber sitting outside with david, drinking champagne and talking about life, and how important it is to never give up on your dreams! David was an exceptional man and will sadly be missed by all in Matjiesfontein.

By Justin (17 months ago)

So sorry to read about David passing on. My condolences to the family. I called at Matjiesfontein several times (en route between Howick and Cape Town) to collect pix and material for a magazine article about the village, and last chatted to David in October 2009. To complete the article, I would appreciate receiving information concerning who is going to continue the Logan/Rawdon legacy at your historic village.
Sincerely,
Dick Jones

By Dick Jones (17 months ago)

I was so surprised when David call me back earlier this year after me emailing regarding the paint colour of The Lord Milners voyer and formal sitting room. Matjiesfontein was making me dream...

Rest in peace,
Pieter Hoffman

By Pieter Hoffman (17 months ago)

I met Dave through his niece, my special school friend Sian. We shared many adventures and fun times with him in Hermanus and Matjiesfontein. He was such a fun lively character and I remember him whisking us off for a picnic of duck a l'orange on one of the first times I met him. Fine fare for students!
He was such an important part of the Rawdon family and I know that he will be greatly missed. May his legend live on!
Dave and Graham, rest in peace
Emma and Harvey Jones

By Emma (17 months ago)

So sad to hear about David's passing away. When we visited Matjiesfontein and the Lord Milner David took the time and made the effort to come and chat to us at the dinner table. What an interesting and enthusiastic man! I felt so inspired by his future-directedness and his zest for life. We'll miss him. I feel so enriched because of having met and interacted with this very special man.
With appreciation
Beth

By Beth (17 months ago)

So sad to hear about this. You taught me so much at the Drostdy, Matjies and Lacerac. We shared great times and lots of fun. You were a very special friend and mentor to me.
You started the Drostdy hotel and it was a joy to work and train with you.

Reinette Te Water Naude
Graaff Reinet

By Reinette te water naude (16 months ago)

David was a pure gentleman.....loved the hat parties.

I will always remember you.RIP

Will come sing to you one day again.

By Luigi (9 months ago)

One Sunday I stayed over at Maitjiesfontein and was told there would be a buffet at the Laird's Arms, after dinner we were having drinks in the pub when the last of the families with kiddies left when David locked the door, put on a Dux hat, set the player piano aplaying and the party was on.

What a wonderful night!
Party on David.

By Gideon Langart (8 months ago)