Fiona Sutherland

Fiona and Rico



Kids from left, twin niece and nephew, Karl, Gabriella and stepson Terry.



-Where are you now?
I'm still living in Cape Town ,actually in Southfield for the last 14 years.

-List household members:a
I have been married for 14 years to a wonderful man, Rico, and have two lovely kids. Their names are Gabriella who is 11 and Karl who is 8. Also in the household is Milo, TJ, Lola and Shylah.... all German Shepherds.

-What do you do all day?
Well, besides running around after kids lifting to and from school I run a beauty salon from home. We have been running from home for the last 10 years and it has been great fun. Some days you can go and shop 'til you drop and then there are the days that you can't move away from the salon.

The last 20 years in 100 words, or less, or more... No-one's going to count.
Well when I finished matric I went to work in a hairdressing salon over the Christmas period and landed up working there for four years and qualifying as a hairstylist with trade papers. Then I went to Stellenbosch where I studied beauty therapy for two years. During those years I met my husband and we partied a lot...I worked in a salon in Sun Valley for four years
and then moved back home.

On 11 June 1994 I got married and became Mrs Schwimmbacher... A mouthful.. And no-one ever spells it correctly. Kids came along and now they both attend Bergvliet Primary School and are enjoying it. My daughter is in Grade 5 and my son is in Grade 2.

- Any less than-than-shining moments from The School Years?
Were there any?

- Less than shining?
I always landed up in the corridor being punished by Miss Watson... Or in trouble for something or another by Keogh or
Plamplin. Talking of Plamplin - she stopped me in the shopping centre the other day and asked me why I didn't greet... When in actual fact I tried to avoid her... Still hasn't changed a bit.

- Did you stay in touch with anyone? Who?
I keep in touch with Gill quite a bit, and her family I see often but as for the rest... No-one.

- With the benefit of 20 years hindsight, did St Cyprians prepare you for life?
Prepare me for life? Yes, actually life at St Cyps tought me to get on with life no matter what comes in your way, that you will find the blue light at the end of that dark long tunnel and that I am able to work with all sorts of different people from all walks of life.

- Any stand out teachers?
Mr Park for one... He seemed a bit queer. Miss Fowler was a nice Home Ec teacher.

- Life lessons?
Well, everyday life teaches you a new lesson of some kind so I'm always learning.

Achievements?
My greatest acheivements are my kids of course and last but not least being married to my husband.

- Greatest hope?
My greatest hope is that my kids acheive the best results they are able and that whatever career they choose we'll be behind them 100%.

- How different is your life from how you envisaged it 20 years ago?
I had no idea I would be home,working and be a wife and mom but I wouldn't turn the clock.


email: schwimmy (at) iafrica (dot) com