Trade mourns much-loved Wendie
WENDIE White, md
of Lloydorr and
much-loved industry
colleague, died on Christmas
Eve following a year-long battle
with cancer. She is survived
by her husband, Hugh, and
daughters, Kelsey and Amy.
Wendie was born in
Edinburgh then moved to
England when her father was
contracted to play football for
Liverpool. When her father
retired, the family moved to
Spain to open a Scottish
family pub. It was there, in
1982, while waiting at tables,
that Wendie met her future
husband, Hugh, who was
there to watch Scotland play
in the Football World Cup.
After the holiday romance, the
two kept in touch, exchanging
letters for about a year. By
then, Hugh had moved to
South Africa and the following
year Wendie joined him. She
initially found work as a tour
guide but was later snatched
up by Holiday Holdings where
she worked for 20 years,
rising in the ranks from
consultant to md. After a
few years sabbatical where
she studied Life Coaching
and learned isiZulu, Wendie
returned to the industry as
md of Lloydorr. She spent
11 years with the company,
eventually becoming majority
shareholder.
Gavin Simpson, executive
chairman, Holiday Holdings,
said due to Wendie’s passion
for the industry, a unique
aptitude for business and her
natural people skills, he soon
recognised that the junior
consultant he had employed
had excellent management
prospects.
“Over the years she
progressed to become md
of Go Australia and then to
the position of md at Holiday
Tours. She excelled in that
capacity and was responsible
for the Joburg, Durban and
Cape Town offices with almost
100 people reporting to her.
She always had time for
every employee who needed
assistance. She gained the
respect and admiration of
all our business associates
and principals and will be
missed by everyone who was
privileged to know and work
with her. RIP my dear friend,”
said Gavin.
Cheryl Smith, sales
executive Western Cape
for Travel Vision, a previous
colleague told TNW, “Wendie
was a thorough lady. She
always had a smile on her
face and would make you feel
as if you were the best thing
that had ever happened in
every interaction with her.”
Office manager for
Serendipity Tours, Kim van
den Berg, said she started
working with Wendie when
she was 17 and had kept in
contact with her for over 30
years. “I don’t think anyone
in the industry who met her
didn’t immediately love her.
She was a mother hen to so
many of us and always saw
the positive side of everything,
even when she became ill.
Jacqui Carr, gm of United
Europe agreed, saying that
she had worked with Wendie
for 12 years. “She really took
me under her wing and set
me on the path I needed to
travel in my career. She gave
me so many opportunities at
a young age and was great
at handing over the reins and
empowering people to do their
best. I feel for her work team
now as she has always been
an anchor and a life force
in an office environment.”
Jacqui added that even
when they no longer worked
together, she always knew
that she could call Wendie to
bounce things off her. “She
was a great friend and put
such effort into staying in
touch with friends around the
world.”
Chantal Nieuwenhuizen, gm
of Lloydorr, said Wendie was
admired by young and old for
her sparkling personality, zest
for life and enthusiasm in
whatever she tackled.
The Thompsons Holidays
team have known and
worked closely with Wendie
throughout her travel career.
“Wendie’s passion, dedication
to the tourism industry and
her clients will leave a gap in
our Industry. Our condolences
go to her family, as we know
how much she loved and
valued her family. May she
soar with the angels and keep
a close look over all her loved
ones and friends.” Joanne
Adolphe and Thompsons
Holidays team.
