After nearly four decades of serving the Deep South community as a pharmacist, local Sandy MacLean is hanging up her white coat as she retires at the end of this month (April).
MacLean, who is originally from Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, settled in Marina da Gama with her family in 1984.
“My husband Rob and I have lived in Marina da Gama since 1984. We enjoy the lifestyle and our two children had a wonderful time growing up on the waterways of the marina. They come home for a visit at every opportunity,” she tells People’s Post.
Many may recognise MacLean’s friendly face from Rustenburg Pharmacy where she has been working since its inception in 1985.
“At the time, my husband and I had moved to Marina da Gama and I was working for a pharmaceutical company. I offered to do evening locums at Rustenburg Pharmacy as I lived so close by.
“I have been involved at Rustenburg since 1985, 38 years . . . that is a scary thought,” says MacLean.
In March 1985, Gerald Musikanth and Eric Casper opened Rustenburg Pharmacy in Muizenberg. However, two years later, Casper emigrated to Canada and MacLean took over as partner in the business.
“In 1987, Eric emigrated to Canada and I became Gerald’s partner in the business. Gerald and I worked together for 30 years and in that time we incorporated Tockars Pharmacy and Atlantic/Capricorn Pharmacy into the business.”
After Musikanth retired in 2018, the pharmacy was taken over by Alpha Pharm.
Referring to her choice of career, MacLean says she thought it was a good choice as she enjoyed math and science in school and felt she was a “people’s person”.
“I studied pharmacology at Rhodes University in Grahamstown and qualified as a pharmacist in 1978. It means I have been a pharmacist for 44 years.
“I have continued to manage the pharmacy for Alpha Pharm, but it is now time to finally have some time for relaxing.”
Her passion is not only pharmacy but also drum majorettes which she was involved in at schools over the years.
“Gerald was very involved with Muizenberg refurbishment and also Muizenberg High School, so in the late 80s he persuaded me to start a drum majorette squad at the school.
“I had been a “drummie” and a drummie leader at Rhodes University, so it was great fun getting back into that activity. Muizenberg High had its own cadet band which played for the squad when they marched at various venues.”
Fondly looking back at the almost four decades at Rustenburg Pharmacy, MacLean says there were many memorable moments over the years.
“There have been so many memorable times in the pharmacy but most enjoyable has been getting to know the people and families of Muizenberg and the surrounds and becoming a part of the community.
“That is what community pharmacy is all about. I am now assisting those that I knew as babies with their own growing families. The relationships that I have built with customers who have become friends have been such an important aspect of being a pharmacist.
“Serving the people, advising and helping them is what I will miss most when I retire. Fortunately, I will be able to do locums at the pharmacy when required as I won’t be too far away.”
Over the years, MacLean has witnessed the changes at Muizenberg beachfront and been part of the ups and downs.
“Our years at the pharmacy in Muizenberg saw the village going through really difficult times when the beachfront was a row of derelict buildings and you certainly would not walk along the front.
“Times in the business were tough and we were involved in trying to get the beachfront upgraded and thankfully that finally happened. It is wonderful to see the daily Muizenberg beachfront buzz with all the new businesses.”
However, there were also exciting times such as international film shoots that were shot in front of the pharmacy.
“We also had exciting times when local and international celebrities visited Muizenberg and of course Rustenburg Pharmacy.
“I recall Daniel Craig doing a film outside the pharmacy in the early 2000s. We also had visits from surfer Shaun Tomson and local actor, singer Ian Roberts and others.”
MacLean is looking forward to some downtime with family and travelling.
“In my retirement, I look forward to spending time relaxing at our home in Marina da Gama. I enjoy canoeing and walking the beaches and we hope to spend more time hiking and camping as well.
“Travelling, road trips and more adventures are definitely in the plan. I also look forward to having more time to spend with family and friends.”
