Welcome to the Life Story of Manny Wolpe who was born on 28th February 1931 in Humansdorp, then a small town in South Africa’s Eastern Province and died on 20th April 2011 in Cape Town, aged 80. The Life Stories team filmed this interview on 27th December 2010 – 4 months before his death.
From the age of five Manny worked in his parents store quickly displaying a talent for salesmanship and dealing with people from all walks of life. He went on to great success in the South African ‘rag trade’ and as a property developer, married Lita and had two children Maureen and David.
This interview was conducted in Cape Town South Africa by Manny’s 16 year old granddaughter Thandi. In it you will enjoy stories from Manny’s early days in Humansdorp featuring his parents Morris and Ester Wolpe (nee Harris) and siblings Cyril, Zelda and Leon, wheelin and dealin and how he built his amazing business and stories from family life.
In Part 6 Manny is joined by his daughter Maureen Cooper and son David Wolpe.
Part 1: Early days: Manny’s parents , Andrieskraal & Humansdorp.
Part 2: The birth of a salesman in Humansdorp. Early working years in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape and Transkei.
Part 3: Wheelin and dealin, meeting and marrying Lita.
Part 4: Big business, the birth of Wolpe Fashion Holdings
Part 5: The children
Part 6: The tragic death of Manny’s grandson Jacques, Maureen and David join the conversation, words of wisdom & closing thoughts.
Manny and his late wife Lita
Manny's mom Esther
The Wolpe siblings: Cyril, Zelda, Manny, Ester (mom) & Leon
Manny in the early days building his fashion empire
Lita with kids Maureen and David
Manny heads up Wolpe Fashion Holdings
Manny and his beloved cars - with kids (beloved too of course)
Maureen, Manny's daughter, as a teen
One of the Wolpe homes
Manny with son David
Bishopscourt home
Cars 'n pals
Manny and Lita
cars, cars, cars
The kids
Manny's parents Esther and Morris Wolpe
Young Manny with his brother Cyril and sister Zelda
Manny at his HQ
Always smart ... Mr Wolpe
Dad, Jag and daughter Maureen
Manny: Hard at work building his fashion empire
Good times in his Port Elizabeth apartment
Lita was a model
Manny and brother Leon - business partners
Manny and his son David Wolpe
Manny and his first partners the Hellis brothers
Manny and Lita
Manny at his HQ
Manny in Humansdorp where he grew up
Manny with his late grandson Jaque
Manny Wolpe, enjoying life
Manny's parents Esther and Morris Wolpe
Morris (dad), Thelma, Manny, Cyril & Esther (mom)
The Wolpe kids
Thandi (granddaughter) and mom Maureen ( Manny's daughter)
Manny Wolpe
Manny Wolpe
3 comments to Manny Wolpe (80) – From Country Boy to Fashion Icon
Wishing you all long life – I met Manny in the early 60′s when he started working for my father, Carl Fileman. He was always there for me and helped me adjust when I got divorced in 1980. The last time I saw him was at my mothers funeral in 2004. As I am now living in the UK I could not attend his funeral. He will always have a special place in my and my childrens hearts – Once again, wishing you long life – Irene FILEMAN Lazarus, son Justin and daughter Simone
Manny and his late wife Lita
Manny's mom Esther
The Wolpe siblings: Cyril, Zelda, Manny, Ester (mom) & Leon
Manny in the early days building his fashion empire
Lita with kids Maureen and David
Manny heads up Wolpe Fashion Holdings
Manny and his beloved cars - with kids (beloved too of course)
Maureen, Manny's daughter, as a teen
One of the Wolpe homes
Manny with son David
Bishopscourt home
Cars 'n pals
Manny and Lita
cars, cars, cars
The kids
Manny's parents Esther and Morris Wolpe
Young Manny with his brother Cyril and sister Zelda
Manny at his HQ
Always smart ... Mr Wolpe
Dad, Jag and daughter Maureen
Manny: Hard at work building his fashion empire
Good times in his Port Elizabeth apartment
Lita was a model
Manny and brother Leon - business partners
Manny and his son David Wolpe
Manny and his first partners the Hellis brothers
Manny and Lita
Manny at his HQ
Manny in Humansdorp where he grew up
Manny with his late grandson Jaque
Manny Wolpe, enjoying life
Manny's parents Esther and Morris Wolpe
Morris (dad), Thelma, Manny, Cyril & Esther (mom)
The Wolpe kids
Thandi (granddaughter) and mom Maureen ( Manny's daughter)
Manny Wolpe
Manny Wolpe
Wishing you all long life – I met Manny in the early 60′s when he started working for my father, Carl Fileman. He was always there for me and helped me adjust when I got divorced in 1980. The last time I saw him was at my mothers funeral in 2004. As I am now living in the UK I could not attend his funeral. He will always have a special place in my and my childrens hearts – Once again, wishing you long life – Irene FILEMAN Lazarus, son Justin and daughter Simone
Query if Carl Fileman could have been from the same Fileman family?
Not many Fileman’s around so it is not impossible.
Could well be Brian. I will forward your comment to the family with your contact details so they can give you the info.