When Gail Oberholzer from Milnerton, widow of the late Izak Oberholzer, sees one of the Obie-vehicles driving through Milnerton it takes her back 20 years when the idea of the Crime Watch was just a thought in his mind.
“I am reminded of the time when it was just a thought in his head and I am also reminded of the many people who have kept that dream of his going 23 years after his passing. As one moves into Milnerton and realises that they have a Crime Watch, kept going by the residents to keep the residents safe, I hope the new residents realise that they are moving into a special suburb,” says Oberholzer.
Obie 25 is currently on the roads and the black and yellow vehicle cannot be missed.
On a question to describe him as a husband, policeman, friend and father, she has the following to say:
“Izak grew up on a farm outside Kimberley and always wanted to be ‘that small town policeman’ who you felt you could call on even if you did not have a huge emergency, like escorting you into your home late at night. He was always a policeman, if on duty or not. He could not drive past someone with a puncture, an open garage door or a dog running down the road.
“He left two legacies, starting Milnerton Crime Watch, and a son, Shaun. Sadly Shaun was only two-and-a-half years old when his dad died, he is now 25 years old, but he has his father’s determination, maturity and dedication to community service,” she says.
Oberholzer was secretary of Milnerton Crime Watch at it’s inception until 2001 and had worked alongside her husband to get the project off the ground.
“I remember the first vehicle being purchased, sign writing and lights being added and the day when it went out for the first time. I would never have imagined Milnerton Crime Watch would still be on the road so many years later. The Crime Watch idea was conceived and started by Izak, together with the Milnerton Neighbourhood Watch committee but it is still running today because many people have dedicated much time and energy in keeping the project going to keep Milnerton safe.
Izak’s father, Jan Oberholzer, his twin sister Lilian, his son Shaun and I are really grateful that they still honour Izak by putting his nickname ‘Obie’ on the vehicles,” she says.
