Pierre van Tonder remembered as skilled mentor and impeccable leader Retired executive shot himself at his Sea Point home in Cape Town a week ago 10 May 2021 - 07:29 Katharine Child
UPDATED 10 May 2021 - 22:54 Pierre van Tonder. Picture: SUPPLIED
Former Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder, who helped build the chain from 40 to more than 630 restaurants, was skilled in mentoring juniors into senior managers and bringing the best out of people, say former colleagues as tributes poured in for one of the most well-known figures in the restaurant industry.
Van Tonder died in hospital on Sunday at the age of 62, a week after he shot himself at his Sea Point apartment. He is survived by his wife and two adult children. He retired from the restaurant chain in December after spending almost four decades working his way up from a junior restaurant manager to MD and CEO.
Former Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder dies in hospital Retired executive shot himself in his Sea Point home in Cape Town a week ago 10 May 2021 - 08:27 By Katharine Child Retired Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder died on Sunday evening. Image: Supplied
Former Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder died on Sunday evening, the corporation announced on Monday.
“Pierre passed away peacefully in hospital. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to his wife, Jane, and children Margot and Jordan,” said Val Nichas, CEO of Spur Corporation.
Van Tonder shot himself at his Sea Point home a week ago.
He retired from the restaurant chain in December after spending almost four decades working his way up from a junior restaurant manager to MD and CEO.
Former Spur Chief Executive Officer Pierre van Tonder dies aged 62
Former Spur boss Pierre van Tonder had been recovering in a Cape Town hospital from an alleged suicide attempt
He was 62 years old.
Van Tonder shot himself in the basement of his flat in Sea Point, Cape Town, on the morning of Sunday, May 2, 2021, and was rushed to hospital, where he had been in critical condition.
Former Spur Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pierre van Tonder. Image sourced via Twitter @MadeitInAfrica
At the time pf hospitalisation, his successor, Val Nichas said as Spur, news of van Tonder’s alleged suicide attempt had left them distraught.
Pierre van Tonder. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Lerato Maduna)
Former Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder has died at the age of 62, just months after he stepped away from the business he helped to build for most of his life. Spur Corporation confirms that Pierre passed away peacefully in hospital at 18:45 on Sunday evening, a spokesperson told Fin24 in a message.
Van Tonder had been in a critical condition in a Cape Town hospital for a week, after he shot himself at his Sea Point home last Sunday, according to a statement released by Spur at the time.
Born in Cape Town, he matriculated from Wynberg High School. After starting his career at Pick n Pay as a trainee manager, Van Tonder joined Spur as a 23-year old junior restaurant manager in Sea Point in 1982.
Former Spur chief injured in a ‘suicide attempt’
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Most Read BL PREMIUM 02 May 2021 - 20:22 ALISTAIR ANDERSON
Former Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder allegedly shot himself in the basement of his Sea Point, Cape Town flat on Sunday.
According to Daily Maverick, the incident was an apparent suicide attempt. Van Tonder survived and is in a critical condition in a Cape Town hospital. Attempts to get comment from Spur were not successful, but the company said it would issue a statement on Monday.
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