STILBAAI NEWS - Whether Brian Fraser is heading a fundraiser for Still Bay Animal Protection (SBAP) or writing inspirational poetry, he is a Scotsman to be reckoned with.
His eyes twinkle when he tells about his youth: "I was pretty much not good at anything."
Since his days of being a 'problem child' (his own words) he has however travelled a long way and left those he came into contact with, happier for his company.
Fraser moved to Zambia from Scotland with his parents when he was eight years old. He got his first experience as a salesman in the furniture business in a small mining town. When conditions started changing in the country, he decided to move to South Africa. When he drove through the then town of Salisbury in Zimbabwe, he loved it so much that he stayed as a supervisor in the furniture division of a big department store.
In 1984 the Frasers moved to Cape Town and his career in the furniture business bloomed. He changed from the corporate environment to a family-owned business after 23 years, where he stayed for nine years before moving to Stilbaai with his family about three and a half years ago.
Most people in Stilbaai know him as the passionate chairman of SBAP, but there are many more facets to him. "I am totally committed to everything I do," he says.
He is a prolific writer of inspirational poems and has published one book so far. His nature photographs which accompany the poems he sends daily to those in his Whatsapp group, speak of a keen eye. He describes himself as a visualizer though, rather than a photographer.
He loves music, plays the guitar and is a member of the Stilbaai-mannekoor.
He is also a deacon in Still Bay baptist church and is involved in their King's Kids ministry.
When Fraser developed colon cancer three years ago, he decided that it would not break his speed for life one bit. Through his commitment to his faith and religion, he put on a brave face every day and went about his activities, almost without slowing down. He believes you have to play the deck of cards you are handed and give it your best shot. The poems he wrote during this battle have inspired many people, as is clear from comments he received in response. After an operation a few months ago he is now cancer-free.
Fraser and his wife Rose recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Their son Dean lives in Johannesburg and daughter Debbie lives with them in Stilbaai.
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