History

Rufus Dercksen (Snr) started practising law in the Karoo town of Beaufort West in 1960 as a partner at the firm Gird & Dercksen. He soon established himself as a distinguished businessman and leader and became mayor of the town at the age of 36 years.

He also served his district in the Provincial Council and was instrumental in the opening of the renowned Karoo National Park. He was a talented sportsman and rugby player, representing Western Province and captaining the South Western District’s provincial team.

Rufus was later appointed as Ministerial Representative of the Eastern Cape. After retiring from public office in 1993, he moved to Stellenbosch where he and his son, Niel, practised together in the law.

At the time of Rufus’s passing away in 2019, he was an honorary member of the Law Society of South Africa. He leaves behind a rich legacy –  for the love of his family, the law, sport, and last but not least, for farming. He lived his life with the utmost respect for the principles of loyalty and trustworthiness, the very same principles that the firm today continues to uphold.