A giant has fallen

It is with great sadness that we relay the passing of Charles Everitt, the much-loved and admired co-founder of the Chas Everitt International group, following a short illness. He was 87. 

An icon of the South African real estate industry, Charles was also a man of deep and abiding faith who lived his beliefs and kept his word - and inspired everyone who knew him to try to do the same. Indeed, the old-world values of trust, respect for all and integrity that were at the heart of the Johannesburg estate agency he founded with his wife Tilla are still the cornerstones of the Chas Everitt International group, even though it is now one of the largest real estate groups in SA.

Charles maintained a lively interest in the growth and direction of the company even after his retirement in 1998, and was rightly proud of the doors it has opened and opportunities it has created for hundreds of men and women around the country to achieve success, build solid futures for their families and become leaders in their own communities. He and Tilla especially loved to attend our award ceremonies and help to celebrate the milestones reached by Chas Everitt agents with words of praise and encouragement.

An enthusiastic story-teller, Charles also loved nothing more than to spend time with his own family and close friends, and frequently shared how grateful he was for them and how his life had turned out. Born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1935, Charles came to South Africa after his father retired and decided to follow his dream of farming in Ermelo. It was there that he met Tilla, who was the daughter of the neighbouring farmer. After pursuing a successful career with an international pharmaceutical group, Charles left the corporate world and together with Tilla opened the original Chas Everitt Estates in 1980.

Often described as a giant among men, and one of the last great gentlemen, Charles touched many lives in many walks of life with humility and grace, and will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by an enormous number of people. He is survived by Tilla, his sons Berry and Paul and their families. 

May his soul rest in eternal peace.