Build It | Ferdie Smith
Civil Services…
After spending most of his career working across the country in what can only be described as no man’s land Ferdie decided that a change was necessary. Both Ferdie and his wife quit the city life and settled upon Hermanus, where he is now a resident engineer with Grace Civil Engineering Services. Like Ferdie Smith says: “I now get to do what I love in a place that I love!”
See what this local man had to say to us…
When did you come to Hermanus?
I came to Hermanus at the end of 2012.
Why did you decide on settling in Hermanus?
My wife is originally from Hermanus and after getting married and working all over the country as a civil engineer we decided that we were up for a change in lifestyle, Hermanus was the best option and life here is great!
What made you decide to become a civil engineer?
I always wanted to do something that was practical and always changing, that is what engineering is in a nut shell.
The best part of my job is…
Travelling up and down and seeing new places.
The worst part of my job is…
All the admin.
My favourite engineered design is…
A fridge, because a warm beer over a hot weekend tastes terrible.
If I was a tool in the garage I would be…
A hammer, hammers can fix anything, a hammer can also turn a few fingers blue and cause a few swollen digits here and there!
Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems.― Scott Adams
Hermanus is…
A small city, not a town anymore and most importantly it is my home.
I love Hermanus in the…
Summer, because most of the time it is when we all go on a break from the rush we call work. It is also a great time to enjoy sundowners on the beach, outside braai’s and the sunset market.
My favourite place in Hermanus is…
The Hermanus Country Market on a Saturday. Beer, food and because it is where you see the real locals enjoying their town.
My favourite place in the world is…
Home and my couch!
I wish I knew then what I do know about?
The past is the past and living in the now is all that counts. Make better decisions now and let the past be a lesson.
My best memories are…
Playing “kaalvoet” rugby as a small kid in the field that was behind our house in Alexander Bay, family holidays in Strandfontein and learning to drive a bakkie in the sand dunes when I was 13.
More info on the town of Hermanus |