The family business was established in 1961 and is based near Krugersdorp in Gauteng. Oasis Tanning is run by Chris van der Merwe together with his son and son-in-law.
A legacy in leather:
'Chris van der Merwe was born to tan leather', or so anybody that has ever met him will tell you. With more than 51 years in the business of tanning leather he is truly a pioneer and a visionary. Tanning has been a labor of love for him since he left school in 1961. staying in the then Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) Chris embarked on a vision of providing top quality leather. In 1962 he started the aptly named Rhodesia Tanning which later changed its name to Eagle Tanning. It was in the years after 1983 when he and his wife and children relocated to Krugersdorp in South Africa that this young and visionary tanner made quite a name for himself by being one of the first tanners to tan Elephant Hide on a production scale. Having a passion for leather has driven Chris to always be on the fore front of the industry. Ha was a staunch fighter for the deregulation of ostrich farming in the early 90's and after successfully winning the battle against the authorities he also became one of the largest producers of ostrich leather in the southern hemisphere. He owned and ran a successful Ostrich Farm that at any given stage was home to over 20 000 otriches wich he then later sold. Having respect and admiration for leather prompted Chris to strive to be the best in his field, he went forth to receive training from not only the Leather Institute but also in Switzerland and Germany.He is a community focused individual and never misses a chance to contribute. Oasis Tanning for example sources Ostrich and Bovine hides from developing farming regions to boost their growth and stimulate a positive business economy. Chris is also a dedicated member of a number of organizations: TASA, NOPSA, PHASA, Rowland Ward and the Association of Professional Taxidermists and Game Skin Tanners. Oasis Tanning today is one of the leading Exotic tanneries in the country if not the continent and it is mostly thanks to the dedication and passion of Chris van der Merwe.
It is with a sad heart that the tanning industry will shortly have to say goodbye to Chris as he will be retiring to enjoy more quality time together with the love in his life, his wife for the past 47 years, Frances van der Merwe. Feeling confident in the mentoring and transfers of skills to his successors, Chris is leaving the running of Oasis Tanning in the capable hands of his son Andre and his son-in-law Grant Hoffman. Both share the passion and fire that Chris has for this great industry.
A legacy in leather:
'Chris van der Merwe was born to tan leather', or so anybody that has ever met him will tell you. With more than 51 years in the business of tanning leather he is truly a pioneer and a visionary. Tanning has been a labor of love for him since he left school in 1961. staying in the then Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) Chris embarked on a vision of providing top quality leather. In 1962 he started the aptly named Rhodesia Tanning which later changed its name to Eagle Tanning. It was in the years after 1983 when he and his wife and children relocated to Krugersdorp in South Africa that this young and visionary tanner made quite a name for himself by being one of the first tanners to tan Elephant Hide on a production scale. Having a passion for leather has driven Chris to always be on the fore front of the industry. Ha was a staunch fighter for the deregulation of ostrich farming in the early 90's and after successfully winning the battle against the authorities he also became one of the largest producers of ostrich leather in the southern hemisphere. He owned and ran a successful Ostrich Farm that at any given stage was home to over 20 000 otriches wich he then later sold. Having respect and admiration for leather prompted Chris to strive to be the best in his field, he went forth to receive training from not only the Leather Institute but also in Switzerland and Germany.He is a community focused individual and never misses a chance to contribute. Oasis Tanning for example sources Ostrich and Bovine hides from developing farming regions to boost their growth and stimulate a positive business economy. Chris is also a dedicated member of a number of organizations: TASA, NOPSA, PHASA, Rowland Ward and the Association of Professional Taxidermists and Game Skin Tanners. Oasis Tanning today is one of the leading Exotic tanneries in the country if not the continent and it is mostly thanks to the dedication and passion of Chris van der Merwe.
It is with a sad heart that the tanning industry will shortly have to say goodbye to Chris as he will be retiring to enjoy more quality time together with the love in his life, his wife for the past 47 years, Frances van der Merwe. Feeling confident in the mentoring and transfers of skills to his successors, Chris is leaving the running of Oasis Tanning in the capable hands of his son Andre and his son-in-law Grant Hoffman. Both share the passion and fire that Chris has for this great industry.
Chris van der Merwe
TANNING CO (PTY) LTD