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At the Kingswood Golf Estate AGM on 27 June, two new trustees were selected to serve alongside existing office bearers Marilyn Kamp and Gerrit Nieuwoudt – welcomed into the fold that memorable Monday were Jonathan Witts-Hewinson and Anthony Jacobsen. Jonathan was on leave when this edition saw the light, but do read on to find out more about the inimitable ‘Tony J’.
Welcome home
Regular callers at the Kingston Road abode of Sandra and Tony (‘only my family call me Anthony’) Jacobsen will be accustomed to the welcoming party – a pair of shiny-furred dachshunds, Honey and Mustard. Procured from an upcountry breeder, the glistening sibs were in attendance throughout our sit-down with one of two recently elected KGE trustees.
Armed with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Wits University and a subsequent diploma in Project Management, Tony’s career took him from Gauteng to the UK, from George to Europe and the exotic capitals of Asia Pacific. In fact, the Jacobsens’ move to Kingswood was preceded by a 13-year stint in Switzerland, where they lived just outside the city limits of Basel.
Situated on the Rhine in northwestern Switzerland, Basel is close to the country’s borders with France and Germany. And no, Tony doesn’t pine for Switzerland, but sometimes misses its always-punctual public transport, the fact that you can see your taxes being put to good use in the community, and that ‘everything works!’
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Brilliant career revisited
Taking his penchant for efficiency into account, it’s not surprising that Tony specialised in the process automation industry. ‘Industrial automation’ refers to the use of control systems such as computers or robots and information technologies to best automate manufacturing processes.
Actively working in this field from 1981 to 2021, his expertise was also instrumental in the Jacobsens’ Southern Cape introduction: as project manager for the automation system supplier, then Mossgas (today’s PetroSA) required Tony’s skills during the 90s, when the family lived happily in the George suburb of Bergsig for four years. A positive impression prevailed.
Having worked in South Africa for the Swiss company that ultimately inspired the Jacobsens’ move to Basel in 2007, the shift didn’t present Tony with unfamiliar professional territory. But not every member of the six-strong family went willingly …
On family ties, and tying the knot
Sandra and Tony have four grown-up children and four grandkids; the youngest of their brood was 17 years old, properly ensconced in school and friendship circles in the family bastion of Edenvale, when Dad announced the move to ‘la Suisse’.
‘She was ready to disown us … but then took root in her adopted home country and lives there to this day, happily married and with no return to African shores in sight,’ says Tony.
On the subject of nuptials: our brief rendezvous took place on the day before the father of four embarked on a Jozi sojourn, to attend the auspicious occasion of his youngest son’s wedding. Sandra – Tony’s better half for the past 42 years – had already departed for Gauteng to assist in final arrangements leading up to the 10 September reunion shindig.
‘Our eldest daughter has three children, one of whom is in her teens, while the youngest grandchild is three years old. It’s always a delight when they visit our Kingswood home,’ he says, adding that Honey and Mustard even befriended the toddler during a recent visit, albeit after three days of setting their respective parameters.
Personal parameters mined
When Tony lists his passions – among others and in no particular order – as ‘family, Manchester United, the Springboks, and the new Kingswood clubhouse’, one gets an additional sense of this multifaceted individual.
‘I played professional soccer while pursuing my degree, representing both Germiston Callies and Wits at the time. I sometimes wonder how my life would’ve turned out if I’d opted for the sports route. But playing for Wits University meant my study costs were covered, and finally I chose the academic route.’
Target shooting of a whole different kind became part of Tony’s universe when, around 2006, he stumbled upon CliftonStrengths (CS) – a performance-based tool that builds self-awareness and focuses on individuals’ innate talents.
Today, Tony is a certified CS coach. He uses this tool to help people discover their top strengths, as well as aiding organisations in improving company culture, productivity and performance.
‘Building on your strengths, rather than concentrating on weaknesses, enables happier, more functional living. This doesn’t only apply to individuals but involves entire communities since it changes one’s way of viewing other people. If you understand why someone acts in a certain way, it informs your reaction to it, helps to build tolerance and acceptance of diversity.’
Raison d’etre as KGE trustee
Tony says the new clubhouse project was a main driver when deciding to avail himself as KGE trustee candidate. He regarded this role as an opportunity, as exciting as it was challenging … then swiftly realised that it would be a rather time-consuming pursuit.
‘For me, key is that the new clubhouse represents Kingswood’s unique brand and style, while being accessible to every member of our estate community. Just as important is that, when we get it right, this facility will enhance the value of each property on the estate.’ Tony is also enthusiastic about getting involved with other aspects of Kingswood that may come his way in the line of trustee duty.
Kingswood is king!
Moments before the appointed BUZZard meet time, Tony blew in from the Kingswood golf course, his competitive spirit perhaps slightly wind-whipped but most definitely sated.
‘I try to play a round at least three times per week, ever since our move here in February 2020,’ he says, adding that the property was bought 10 months before their actual relocation.
Akin to many semigrators from up north, the Jacobsens are enamoured with the area’s beauty, safety, and amenities within a stone’s throw from estate borders. But that doesn’t mean the travel bug has been fully flushed from the Couple Jacobsen’s system.
Having served as overseer of his employers’ Asia Pacific territory during the final eight years of his career, Tony travelled east, and far, extensively. He says Tokyo is probably his favourite city on that side of the planet; he has the highest regard for the Japanese people, their culture and their food.
‘An advantage of our Kingswood lifestyle is the proximity of top-class restaurants and, although Sandra enjoys cooking and we enjoy catering at home, it’s a treat to drive minutes away for a selection of excellent meals.’
Top of the list is the roast kabeljou at Portobello Italian Kitchen, served with tomato Romanesco, braised fennel, sautéed new potato, baby spinach, toasted almond and olive salsa. Tony claims it’s the best fish dish he’s ever encountered. And he should know …
Easy, tiger …
Tony’s lifelong passion for sport includes that of tigerfishing, which he describes as part of his growing up, and a leisure pursuit he enjoys to this day.
‘I have a twin brother and, from the age of 15 or so, Dad would take us along on tiger-fishing trips on Lake Kariba and the Zambezi. Our first such adventure was in 1971 and, bar a few years when we lived in Europe, we’ve returned on an annual basis.’
Catch Tony and his colleagues in action when the next community meeting is called on Kingswood’s clubhouse project; click on gallup.com/cliftonstrengths to make the best of you.