A lifetime of dedicated service to racing in KwaZulu-Natal was celebrated at Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg on Friday where senior officials and colleagues paid tribute to the caring and selfless commitment given by cleaning supervisor Zenze Linah Ndlela to the Gold Circle organisation.

Fondly known by all, including trainers and owners and other regular visitors simply as Linah, the 65-year-old grandmother retired at the end of June after 48 years at the Pietermaritzburg racing venue, a feat described by Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac as “extraordinary.”

Accompanied by family members at a special farewell function, Linah was showered with praise for her happy disposition no matter what was asked of her and for the genuine concern she showed for the welfare of all with whom she worked.

Linah started work for the then Pietermaritzburg Turf Club as a general worker nine days before her 17th birthday on June 6, 1951 and worked on the track maintenance team until the year 2000 when she moved into the administration offices as a Supervisor Cleaner.

Michel Nairac said it was an honour and a privilege to pay tribute to someone who had given so much of her life to Scottsville, Gold Circle and to racing and said it was extraordinary for anyone to work for one employer for so long. “I have experienced workers with 45 years service but never 48 years. It is quite incredible and we wish her a wonderful retirement and hope we can keep in touch.”

Former General Manager of the Pietermaritzburg Turf Club, Gavin Brown, said Linah exuded happiness. “If anyone mentioned the name Linah my immediate response was happiness. She was always smiling no matter what she was asked to do – she has a happy personality.”

The front office co-ordinator at Scottsville, Fay Stuart, described Linah as a humble and respectful person who was committed to her job and did it with a happy smile. She showed genuine concern for her co-workers and would never take sick leave. “If she needed to go to the doctor she would put in for leave to do so. She is a humble, softly spoken and kind-hearted person.”

Richard McMillan – Gold Circle