Bowing out after 42 years

KNYSNA NEWS - The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Department in Knysna has bade farewell to local traffic legend Henry Payle, who retired last week after serving the department in Knysna for more than four decades.

Payle celebrated his retirement with colleagues and family at a special retirement party on Wednesday 31 May, held at the Lungalo Restaurant at Simola Hotel and Resort.

Henry Payle had served the department for 42 years having started his journey in Knysna in January 1981 and has been a pillar of the community ever since. He has held many a rank and title over the years, most recently serving as the Senior Provincial Inspector in Knysna.

"The most important lesson we can learn as a department from Mr Payle is the importance of duty and commitment and always having a high standard of work ethic," says Provincial Traffic Chief in Knysna Vukile Oliphant.

"Mr Payle has meant a lot to the administration of provincial traffic, he meant a lot to these regions - Knysna, Plettenberg Bay. And on behalf of the traffic department of Knysna and the surrounding regions we thank you for all of the years that you have put in and the results you have got out," says Knysna Municipal Traffic Chief Anthony Bans.

Henry Payle (right) alongside his wife, Mavis.

Payle's colleagues from the traffic departments across the Garden Route gathered to honour the traffic officer, recounting many stories of the highlights of his career and the impact he has had not only on the traffic department but on the people of Knysna. A heartwarming slideshow illustrating the life and times of Henry Payle was shown during the farewell dinner.

"I'm going to step down graciously. I will be settling down and enjoying retirement with my lovely wife, Mavis. Now Fridays aren't the best day of the week anymore... they all are!" Pyle quipped about his retirement.

"I will have more time to garden, take trips with my wife and spend more time with our family and friends. Tomorrow is a new day, you start off what you finish for that day, because tomorrow has its own workload waiting. If it wasn't for the system indicating my mandatory retirement I wouldn't have known when it was time to retire."

Showing his dedication to the department through and through, Payle says he will be glad to lend himself to the traffic department should they need him for coaching or mentoring of the new traffic appointees, granted that it is only temporary.

The Western Cape Provincial Traffic Department in Knysna and surrounding areas thanked Henry Payle for his many years of service and wishes him a peaceful and prosperous retirement.

Henry Payle, all smiles greeting his colleagues who organised the farewell party for him.

The organising committee also wished to thank the following individuals for taking their time to honour Henry Payle; Knysna Municipal Traffic Chief Anthony Bans, Provincial Traffic Chief in Knysna Vukile Oliphant, Kwanokuthula Police Station Commander Lt Col Xolile Gogwana, Bitou Traffic Chief Sean Ganga, Knysna Police Station Commander Lt Col Francois de Wet and Knysna Fire & Rescue Department Chief Ian Bezuidenhout.

The respective Knysna Traffic Department staff as well as officials from in and around the Eden Traffic departments gathered in the foyer of Simola Hotel.