Former Spur Corporation CEO dies
Former CEO Pierre van Tonder has died, the Spur Corporation announced on Monday.
CAPE TOWN, May 10 (ANA) – The former CEO of the Spur Corporation, Pierre van Tonder, has died, the group announced on Monday.
In a statement, the current CEO, Val Nichas, said that Van Tonder died on Sunday evening.
He was 62 years old.
His death comes a week after he shot himself in his home in Sea Point, Cape Town.
“Pierre passed away peacefully in hospital. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to his wife Jane and children Margot and Jordan,” Nichas said.
She thanked everyone for the overwhelming support and prayers for Van Tonder over the past week.
Nichas described Van Tonder as a much-loved friend and colleague to many Spur employees and franchisees through the years.
“Pierre will be remembered for his passion, energy and total commitment, and his legacy will live on in our great restaurant group that he helped build and led so successfully for more than two decades,” Nichas said.
She has asked for everyone to give the Van Tonder family privacy during their difficult time of grief and sorrow.
Van Tonder retired less than six months ago. He was the managing director and CEO for the Spur group for 24 years after working his way up from junior restaurant manager.
Nichas said that under Van Tonder’s leadership, the group expanded from a small business of approximately 40 restaurants into a market-leading multi-brand group which now has more than 630 restaurants in South Africa and a presence in 17 countries.
According to TimesLive, Van Tonder was responsible for buying the popular steakhouse Hussar Grill and the RocoMamas burger chain, as well as the Nikos brand.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
