Lowveld Local | Steve Schormann

Steve is a born and bred Lowvelder, farmer and politician and insists that it’s in that order. He wanted to be a farmer his whole life and describes being a politician as being the laughing stock of the public, for the public. We asked him a couple of not-so-deep-and-meaningful questions and here’s what he said!

Most memorable moment?
I’m quite lucky in that I can remember things from when I was really young. For me to be able to remember so many things, whether significant or not, is probably what I appreciate above all. I won’t really settle on one specific memorable incident but enjoy many good memories quite often.

Any near-death experiences?
Lots! I was in the army for a long time, for 16 years. Although I’ve been in dangerous situations the near death experiences that stay with me are of people close to me that have died. Because I remember them well I often recall experiences shared with them and then recall that they are gone.

What don’t people know about you?
My dad and his brother were twins and really close. Many people say I sound like them or look like them. I also have two cousins and the three of us are always confused. Many people blame me for what Rob and Mark do and often confuse us not realising there are actually three of us.

What’s you kryptonite?
People who are in trouble. If a guy comes to me and says he just needs R10 I find it really hard to resist. Sometimes I’ll give him R10 just for his creativity in coming up with a story that is obviously not true.

What gets your blood boiling?
Driving! My biggest fear is having a road rage incident and then getting to my meeting and realising it is with the person I had the tiff with on the road. Generally I have quite a thick skin but on the road my fuse is a bit shorter.

But even more than this I really dislike people who lie blatantly to my face. Except for the guy asking for R10.

What about yourself are you most proud of?
I think I work well in teams. When I tackle a project I tend to have a very clear goal in mind. The trick is to get everyone together and working towards that same goal.

Have you ever saved a life?
There was once this old guy whose house burnt down in 2002. He went inside to try and put the fire out and subsequently collapsed after having a heart attack. I went into the burning house and carried him out. I was performing CPR on him all the way into town on the back of a bakkie. He died at the hospital about 6 hours later so I didn’t save his life, but I did try really hard.

What is cool about Lowvelders
A lot of people don’t realise it but Lowvelders have become quite accommodating with regard to each others’ language preference. If someone is more comfortable speaking in his own language people won’t expect him to speak in another language but in turn will respond in their own language.

If you could make one Lowveld Law?
That people need to thank other people for things. Even for the smallest most meaningless things. Like the person at the Spar sitting at the till on Sunday. He or she obviously doesn’t really want to be there. Why not thank that person for working on a Sunday so you can do your shopping?

What would you be if you weren’t you?
I think I’d probably want to be something like an orca or killer whale. I don’t want to be a fish but it would be nice to not have to look over your shoulder.

What word/phrase do you abuse?
I’ll be there! I always have the best intentions of being there but then I underestimate the amount of time it will take me to get there.

What was the best thing before sliced bread?
My cell phone! For two years I said I’d never have one and now I don’t have to worry about running out of petrol anymore because I know I can phone someone to come and help me.

Any unfortunate nicknames?
For some reason everybody calls me Stevie! I don’t know why the diminutive, but all through my life people have been calling me this!