We asked the Eastpark Pharmacy crew a few random questions and here’s what they had to say:
Diek de Beer
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy?
Since 1 December 1975 when the doors were opened!
What is your favourite part of working here?
I love working with all types of people. If you take away the public, then my job wouldn’t exist at all. I want to be of service to everyone who enters my store.
Why did you start the pharmacy 41 years ago?
When I was 9 years old I decided that I wanted to become a pharmacist. I had been working at a pharmacy in Springs when the opportunity came along to open Eastpark Pharmacy. A developer asked if we would like to open a pharmacy in the area and we said we would give it a try. 41 years later we are still trying our very best and enjoying every day.
What has been the biggest change you have seen in the industry? Volume of work has increased substantially as compared to 40 years ago, the amount of scripts done in a day has increased exponentially. Also the medical industry works very differently nowadays, sometimes it seems like the balance of power is not where it should be (with the customer).
What values did you build the company on? Speed, Efficiency, Friendliness. The customer comes first!
Where is your favourite place? With my wife (Maritha) and my family
What is your favourite song? Puccini’s Nessun Dorma sung by Luciano Pavarotti
How do you recharge? By doing something else, woodwork, rugby. I don’t like doing nothing, but enjoy other hobbies. Travelling is the ultimate recharge for me.
Madi Coetzer
How long have you worked at Eastpark Pharmacy: Forever!
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Cape Town
Who would you most like to swop places with for a day? My dachshund
Who inspires you? My Dad inspires me the most!
What’s your favourite movie? Minions
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Blue!
How do you recharge? Reading, knitting and relaxing with my family
What characteristic do you most admire in others? Patience
What would a “perfect” day look like for you? Somewhere in unspoilt nature, with my children and hubby, relaxing
What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the past year? “It is what it is, deal with it…”
What’s your favourite song? “Every breath you take” by Sting and The Police
What motivates you? Keeping patients happy and healthy; Keeping my family happy
If a genie gave you a wish, what would you wish for? Being able to ditch my chocolate habit!
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Be true to yourself
Estelle Radyn
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 2008
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Kruger National Park or any place by the sea
What’s your favourite movie? Pretty Woman
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Blue
What’s your favourite song? “Book of Love” by Peter Gabriel
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Try to smile every day!
Natalie Janse van Rensburg
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 10 May 2010
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Multi-coloured, a rainbow crayon!
What would a “perfect” day look like for you? My perfect day would be behind a locked door on the couch with a book in 1 hand and a chocolate in the other.
What is favourite song? “People like us” by Kelly Clarkson
If a genie gave you a wish, what would you wish for? To have a full 3 weeks’ vacation on an isolated Island with all vacation needs & supplies on hand.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Concentrate on the things you can change and forget about the rest.
Suretha Odendaal
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since June 2015
Who inspires you? Friendly people, but most of all my management at work; they are strong, responsible and caring people.
What is your favourite movie? My favourite movie is “Home”- it’s super cute and it teaches children a lot about feelings.
How do you recharge? I recharge by switching everything off and taking a long walk on my own.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Talk to others and never give up. There is always someone out there that has more to worry about than you.
What motivates you? The people around me that care about me, they make me feel worth everything. Noticing the good is the best thing ever.
Charmaine Maritz
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 29 October 2009
Where’s your favourite place in the world? My favourite place in the world is the Bushveld
What would a “perfect” day look like for you? A perfect day should have a friendly smile, a greeting in the morning and a greeting after a long working day.
What motivates you? Friendly people without issues from home. Leave your problems at the door before you enter your workplace.
If a genie gave you a wish, what would you wish for? I would wish for a healthy body and my family by my side and God in my heart.
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Enjoy life with a joke and don’t lead two lives. Just be your you!
Nadia de Kock
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 10 May 2010
Who inspires you? Paralympic athletes, they show you that no challenge is too big.
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? A rainbow crayon so I can draw a smile on everyone’s face.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the last year? How much the little things in life count. “Follow your dreams.”
What is the best advice you have ever been given? A strong woman never gives up.
Asanda Yeki
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 24 November 2016
Who inspires you? My mother and children
Where’s your favorite place in the in the world? I still have to visit it, Dubai
How do you recharge? By sleeping the day away!
What characteristics do you most admire in others? Honesty and Respect
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the last year? “God’s delay is not his denial.”
What is your favorite song? Beauty – Dru Hill
What motivates you? A new day, because it comes with new opportunities.
Marietjie Joubert
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? 11 November 2002
Who inspires you? People who teach me something new
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Blue
How do you recharge? With happy people around me
What would a “perfect” day look like for you? With my kids & grandchildren around me
What is the best advice you have ever been given? Do all the work you have today, tomorrow has got its own work to do.
Thabile Zwane
How long
have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 5 May 2010
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Paris
What’s your favourite movie? Tyler Perry’s “The Diary of a Mad Black Woman”
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Pink
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the last year? To be strong enough to let go and patient enough to wait for what I deserve.
Daniël M Skosana
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 6 June 2000
Who inspires you? Mnr Diek de Beer
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Germany
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Blue
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the last year? To work together
What’s your favourite song? “Weekend special” by Brenda Fassie
MJ (Jerry) Luvuno
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since October 2006
What’s your favourite movie? The Expendables
Who would you most like to swop places with for a day? Mr Diek de Beer
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Black
If you ruled the world, what change would you make on day 1? I would love to have a peaceful, crime free and mostly respectful world.
Jimmy Sekhoto
How lo
ng have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 2 July 2009
What’s your favourite movie? Warrior (Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte)
What’s your favourite song? “Close the door” by Teddy Pendergrass
Who inspires you? Daniël Skosana
Sanna Mngwevu
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? Since 5 November 2012
Who inspires you? Madi
Where’s your favourite place in the world? China
What’s your favourite movie? “Why did I get married?”
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? White
What would a “perfect” day look like for you? To be with my family
Ronelle de Beer
How long have you been working at Eastpark Pharmacy? I’ve been around the pharmacy my entire life, but 
only started working here officially in December 2015.
Where’s your favourite place in the world? Any beautiful, big open space where I can see for kilometres and not have to think about anything.
How do you recharge? I dance
If a genie gave you a wish, what would you wish for? An unlimited travel budget!
What is the best advice you have ever been given? You can’t really love anybody unless you love yourself first.
