Living and Working in Somerset West
If you took a drive around town on any given Monday morning, or even popped your head into a coffee shop or two, you’d notice that business is bustling in Somerset West. Small boutique businesses, established empires, start-ups, remote workers, and everything in between. This Workers’ Day, we’re spotlighting two local business owners to get a feel for the working culture of Somerset West.
The Coetzees at Sotheby's
André and Zona Coetzee may be new faces in Somerset West, but they’re hardly newcomers to the Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty brand. After successfully owning and operating three Sotheby’s franchises in Gauteng, they moved to Somerset West in 2023 and took ownership of the Helderberg branch. Although the local office has long served the Helderberg basin, the Coetzees have injected it with fresh energy. They officially relaunched in early 2024 and have already seen a sharp rise in market share and agent growth.
Their combined expertise is a powerful formula for success. With her background in teaching and real estate – recently recognised by her induction into the Sotheby’s Hall of Fame – Zona brings mentorship and industry insight to the team. André, with years of leadership experience in the financial sector, adds strong business strategy and operational excellence. It’s a marriage made in real estate heaven.
Their commitment to their team is clear. As André puts it: “You can't manage people, only processes – but as leaders, we lead and support people to help them reach their full potential. We don't have agents; we have property professionals, our business partners.” They back this up with serious investment in tools, cutting-edge technology, and support systems to empower their 17-strong team.
Beyond the boardroom, their love for Somerset West shines through. Their business ethos, “Love your neighbourhood,” perfectly matches their passion for the town’s close-knit community spirit. They’re already active in local initiatives like the Village Collective, and relish the lifestyle here – from mountain biking to wine tasting to dog walking, Somerset West has quickly become home.
The Fouries at the KWIKSPAR
There’s another business owner just around the corner who feels similarly about the wonderful work-life balance professionals can achieve in Somerset West. Janine Fourie, who has been running the KWIKSPAR at Lion’s Square with her husband since 2015, is as deeply woven into the community as the store she manages.
“Honestly, if I had to pick anywhere in the world to live, I would live here,” Janine says. “It’s got such a good balance. It’s not small-town small, but it’s got a small-town feel. Everybody knows everybody,” she adds, waving to a regular customer walking by. “You’re close enough to the city to have a city vibe, but far enough so that your kids can play in the street and have that type of upbringing. Very few places give you all of that. You’ve got the wine farms and the mountains. It would be difficult for me to live anywhere else.”
That deep appreciation for balance is something Janine brings into her work culture as well. She leads a team of over 100 staff members – some of whom have been with the store for its full 25-year history. Under her and her husband’s leadership, the Lion’s Square SPAR isn’t just a grocery stop – it’s a community hub.
Janine’s leadership also extends beyond the store. She’s an active member of the Village Collective board, and she broke ground as the first woman on the Western Cape SPAR Guild – no small feat in a space dominated by men. Her financial background in Chartered Accountancy gave her a taste for the big-city corporate life, but in Somerset West, she finds that professional success can be more rooted in flexibility and community.
“Here, your time is in your own hands,” she says. “There are a lot of business owners and people who are self-employed. It’s a culture of – you work hard, but when the weather’s good, we have a quick braai. Or we meet each other for a quick coffee in the morning.” In Somerset West, the lines between work and life don’t blur – they blend, in the best possible way.
From luxury real estate to family-run retail, the working culture in Somerset West is people-centred, reflecting a rare harmony between ambition and lifestyle. It's a town where people take pride in what they do – where business isn’t just about the bottom line, but about belonging, legacy, and living well.
This Workers’ Day, we celebrate all those who make up the fabric of our local economy – those who lead, who serve, who create, and who choose to do it all in the Village we are proud to call home.