Over the years the company has been passed down from father to son.

When Albert Terblanche established the original Alberton Service Station and Tampico Road House in 1906, these two businesses became landmarks for anyone travelling to the South Coast via Alberton.

The precinct is located on the corner of Voortrekker Road and Ring Road West and remains a landmark not only for Alberton residents but also for people coming into Alberton from the N12 and wanting to know their way to the CBD or residential areas.

The late Gert Basson bought the gas station in 1944 and took the building into use on June 8 of that year. The Billis family took over the highway restaurant, which burned down in 1972.

At that time the gas station was a multi-brand company and some older people will remember names like Pegasus, Satmar, Mobil, Shell and Atlantic.

Gerrie, his wife Chrissie and Elias Motseneng were initially the only employees running the business.

In 1952, the station became a Shell gas station when oil companies decided to use single brand locations.

In 1959 Gerrie built a second building and forecourt next to the original building, keeping the mechanical shop in the original building. A lubrication room and parts department were added to the new building.

In 1958 Gerrie leased the Atlantic Service Station across the road from the existing business and ensured that the two Shell filling stations looked like one by providing the two existing buildings with cladding in 1964.

In 1980 it was decided to demolish all the buildings and construct the current buildings.

Brothers Leon and Michael Basson joined the family business in 1967 and 1972 respectively. Leon was active in administration and parts and Michael in the workshop and technical department.

In 1985 the brothers took over the business, with their father acting as chairman.

Gerrie passed away in 1988 and Chrissie continued the business with their two sons. Chrissie passed away in 1999.

Today it is still a family affair, with Leon’s daughter and son, and Michael’s son, running the petrol station and workshop, which are still run according to the same principles that Gerrie introduced in 1944: loyalty and honesty to the brand and customers.

Gerrie also taught everyone that turnover and profit are not the same thing. He started his business fresh out of the outfitting industry and quickly discovered that you manage your money by being careful and careful; the profit will come naturally.

Gerrie left a legacy of not buying anything if you couldn’t pay for it in cash. This principle is still practiced in business today.

The future belongs to Leon and Michael’s children.

“We have a remarkable legacy to continue and will do our best to do so,” Leon said.

“Although times are tough and the scenario is constantly changing, we remain optimistic.”

The Basson family thanked their many friends and customers for their support over the years.

“Without these people we would not have achieved what we have achieved today. We lost our oldest customer, Germano Ribeiro (92) on April 22nd this year, after a journey of 71 years,” said Leon.

“And if some of you are wondering why an 80th anniversary celebration is held in such a modest way, we have decided to donate to local charities instead of the normal celebrations,” Leon concluded.