A Tribute to Dick Foxton – 31 Years of friendship, faith, and laughter

Key topics:A 31-year friendship filled with laughter, faith, and unconditional supportLifelong traditions born from shared travels, like the “Elbows up!” toastA heartfelt farewell to a friend who left a lasting imprint on many lives.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..By Sherl Camera.My deepest condolences to Dick’s family—he treasured you all beyond words. His love for you shone in every conversation, every memory he shared. Take comfort in knowing he’s watching over us now, probably with a mischievous smile and a raised glass.Dick left his imprint on so many lives—he’ll never be forgotten.Where it all began…It was 1994, on a Nissan South Africa fleet owners tour to Japan, hosted by Stephanus Loubscher, Mike Whitfield, and Pieter Ackerman. That’s where I met Dick—and what a meeting it was.Picture this: Dick striding down the streets of Tokyo’s ultra-stylish Ginza district... wearing shorts, long socks, and a briefcase . We were an odd-looking crew already, but Dick took it to a new level. We laughed then, and kept laughing about it for years..Our tour guide, “Breathless-San,” was equally unforgettable. When we asked what type of monkeys we’d seen up in the misty mountains, she replied confidently: “Japanese monkeys.” That line became a classic punchline between us for decades.I was the only woman on the trip and had brought along my trusty travel steamer. Naturally, I ended up pressing all the men’s shirts before dinners—Dick being my most frequent “customer.” He teased me endlessly about it, calling me the most organised human he'd ever met. Karaoke was our evening ritual—me belting out songs as “Songbird-San,” and Dick, surprisingly tuneful, leading the pack while the other men bravely harmonised… sort of.Elbows Up!From that trip, a lifelong tradition was born: “Elbows up! ” Every time we clinked glasses— be it at lunch, dinner, or a spontaneous get-together—we raised our elbows and laughed.It became our little signature, a ritual of connection and joy.He called me “Shopping-San” because, unlike him, I could happily spend hours in shops. He never let me forget it, and even on our last lunch together on May 1st, 2025, he teased me one more time about my shopping exploits..Since I opened Pearly’s Pantry, an artisanal bakery as a loved passion, Dick insisted I bring cookies to every catch-up. On that final lunch, I sadly saw a change in him.He ordered a special meal, barely touched it, but insisted—gently and sweetly—on havingthose cookies with his coffee. I left with a heavy heart, tears silently falling in the car. I didn’t know it was goodbye.The Bond We SharedIn 31 years, we shared everything—our joys, our pain, our families, our fears, our Catholic faith. We never needed to pretend or hold back. There was comfort in knowing we could just be—silly, spiritual, sad, or wildly joyful. That kind of friendship is rare. It's sacred.Dick forgot my birthday once—and never lived it down. Every year after, he’d sing to me with that beautiful voice. His laughter—especially when I really got going—was contagious.He always said he loved my laugh. So I laughed louder and more often when he was around. Our love & bond for each other was a unique treasure & encapsulated a rareity.Goodbye, My Friend Dick—your faith, wisdom, mentorship, love of life, and that gentle, cheeky humour—leave an unfillable space in my world. You gave so much of yourself to so many, but with me, you gave something rare: 31 years of pure-hearted friendship. I miss you more than I can say.In fact a piece of my heart left with you. I will forever treasure my autographed book you wrote & will read it over & over again.May God grant you eternal rest.Until we meet again…“Elbows up, darling Dick”With all my love, always, Sherl xxxxxx

A Tribute to Dick Foxton – 31 Years of friendship, faith, and laughter

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