Aircooled VW South Africa

The well known Stodels Nurseries started out as a one man outfit selling flower bulbs door-to-door and on the Parade.

Tributes poured in on Wednesday after the passing of the founder of Stodels Garden Centre, Robert Stodel (73), on Tuesday.

Robert was diagnosed with a rare lung disease about three months ago, according Kathy Malherbe, a spokesperson for Stodels Garden Centres. She said family and staff are still in shock.

Robert’s son, Nick, current MD of Stodels Garden Centres, wrote in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook: “To us you were a giant. In Heaven they are busy sweeping the aisles and straightening things up. Because when Rob Stodel walks through those gates the place had better be ready!”

Robert was described by his peers as a revolutionary, a pioneer, a legend and a trailblazer. He was not only praised for his business acumen but also as a preservationist.

After arriving in South Africa from Holland as a 16 year old, Robert started working for a Dutch couple who was selling flower bulbs sourced from Holland. After that he started his own business Rob started his own business out of a garage in Plumstead, selling flower bulbs imported from Holland on the Grand Parade and door-to-door, surviving on “a couple of apples and a pint of milk a day”. The garage was soon bursting at the seams which was not surprising as he imported in excess of 20 million bulbs annually and circulated up to 320 000, 36-page full colour catalogues twice a year. Sales were flourishing.

By then customers had started demanding not only flower bulbs but also associated products which is why in 1968 he opened the first one-stop retail garden centre in Kenilworth. It was here that he proved his theory correct - that gardening products could be offered at discounted prices. It was at this stage that he positioned Stodels Nurseries as places which offered ‘‘Complete one-stop self-service nurseries and garden centres at discounted prices.’

Morne Faulhammer from the South African Green Industries Council said Robert has been a pioneer and trailblazer in the South African nursery industry for over 50 years.

“Not only did Robert Stodel’s vision of creating a world class garden centre chain become a realisation, but he successfully managed to hand over the business to a second generation. Robert Stodel’s ability, above all, to promote gardening to all, has left a legacy of environmental awareness throughout the Western Cape that can never be surpassed. Robert will be truly missed,” says Faulhammer.

Di Irish from the Cape Green Forum says Robert will be missed. “The gardening world in South Africa and particularly in the Western Cape will feel the sad loss of Robert Stodel. His name has been synonymous with the gardening countrywide as a pioneer, entrepreneur and a thorough gentleman. When Rob walked into a room, you knew he had arrived. He was a bundle of energy, always interested in what was going on around him, constantly asking questions and unconditionally offering his advice to others. In the years to come we will all hear much of the man who helped lay the foundation for the Garden Centre industry,” says Irish.

- TygerBurger