Industry mourns loss of Seeff business owner

Tributes have streamed in since news broke of the tragic death of seasoned real estate practitioner Eldie Gerber, one of the original pioneers of the Strand Seeff branch.

Colleagues were worried when the 56 year-old business owner of the Strand branch did not show up for appointments on the morning of Friday 1 November. A short while later the sad news broke that Eldie had been murdered in his flat. A 30 year-old man has since been arrested and charged with his murder. According to media reports the police found the suspect in possession of some of the deceased’s belongings.

Since then on his Facebook page and other online platforms tributes have streamed in. Eldie was well-known and beloved in the Strand area. The former banker had been in the property industry in this area for 28 years of which 25 years was with the Seeff Strand branch which he helped launch.

Condolences poured in on social media from colleagues and residents in the area.

Director and co-licencee for Seeff Strand, Alten Vermaak, says their team is devastated at the loss.

“He is regarded as a titan in the property industry where he exuded integrity, professionalism and client care of the highest degree. Those who had the pleasure of working with Eldie over the years know him as a great mentor and staunch and loyal friend.

“Eldie Gerber was a unique and caring human being who was always ready to listen and offer advice and a ready smile. He had the innate talent of putting people at ease with his kind nature and bubbling sense of humour.

“He will be dearly missed and at this difficult time, we find solace in the wonderful memories and super legacy left by Eldie, not just in the property sector, but the residents of Beach Road where he was well-known and respected,” Vermaak says.

A multi-award winner with an excellent sales record, Eldie was the recipient this year of the 25 Years Seeff Service Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. He had also been involved in numerous developments in the Strand area such as Cap’ D’Azur, Metropole Plaza and Topaz Hibernian Towers to name but a few. He became a director of Seeff Strand in July 2015.

On behalf of the Seeff Property Group, chairman Samuel Seeff says the Seeff group is devastated by his tragic passing.

“Eldie was a much-loved member of the Seeff family for well over two decades. He was a top achiever with a fantastic sales record and was well respected and acknowledged for his contribution to the property market not just by his colleagues and friends in the Seeff group, but by industry colleagues alike.

He was extremely focused and dedicated and often quoted about the market. He was well-known in the Strand and we are simply devastated. The Seeff Group conveys our sincere condolences to the Seeff Strand Team and his family and friends,” Seeff ends.

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