Derek Drew was a natural choice for the position of Village Manager at Evergreen Muizenberg. Not only has he overseen the running of our villages since 2015 in his capacity as Operations Manager at head office, he also comes with years of experience in hospitality, a career he was clearly destined for – he was born in a small hotel his parents owned in the village of Nqutu, KwaZulu-Natal. We sat down with Derek to find out how he’s enjoying his new position, what he enjoys most about Muizenberg and about some of his biggest adventures (the list is long!)

1. What does your average day look like?
I like to get in early and walk through the communal areas to ensure that they’re clean and looking good for the residents. Then it’s onto my computer to answer any urgent mails. I typically have around five meetings a day – everything from meetings with staff, residents or residents’ children to committee meetings. In between, I connect with residents to see how they are doing, organise functions, reply to emails and ensure that every aspect of the village is running smoothly.

2. What do you enjoy most about your work?
Engaging with staff and residents and seeing a vibrant village with a happy, healthy community. 

3. What are some of the things that you feel make Evergreen Muizenberg special or unique?
The wonderful sense of community – with over 300 residents at Evergreen Muizenberg, there’s always something on the go and someone to enjoy things with.

4. What makes you feel inspired?
Seeing the different aspects of a busy village coming together effectively and efficiently to create a content community of residents.

5. Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that you live by?
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou
“If you take care of your people, your people will take care of your customers and your business will take care of itself.”
– J.W. Marriot

6. When you’re not managing Evergreen Muizenberg, you’re…
Spending time with my wife and our two dogs, walking, running, eating and enjoying life.

7. What’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learnt thus far?
Try to live every day to the fullest, you never know when it might end.
Wake up every morning and be grateful for life, for a job, for everything.

8. What’s something the Evergreen residents might not know about you?
I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, skied in the Andes and the Alps, witnessed the Great Migration of the Serengeti, walked the ruins of Angkor Wat and run the Comrades Marathon.

9. What are some of your favourite spots in Muizenberg? 
The Lighthouse for a cheap breakfast, Tiger’s Milk for a beer and Carla’s Mozambique for without doubt the best prawns in South Africa. My favourite walk/run in the area has to be the boardwalk to Kalk Bay. 

10. Who do you admire most and why?
Nelson Mandela, for his humility and forgiveness.
Richard Branson, for his never-say-die attitude.
Buddha, for his amazing philosophy.
Mozart, for giving us some of the greatest music ever.