Our Roots

The firm “Dr MM Nolte” was founded by Matys Megiel Nolte in 1933.  The firm continued to trade under that name until 1998 when it was converted into an incorporated company known as “Dr MM Nolte Incorporated” trading as “Noltes”.  In 2009 the firm changed its name to “Noltes Incorporated”.

Dr Nolte was born in 1893, the eldest of twelve children.  After receiving his doctorate in law at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, he returned to South Africa and settled in Ermelo.  Dr Nolte was an accomplished golfer and tennis player as well as a keen hunter, despite the loss of his right arm, which was the result of an accident suffered during childhood. Of Dr Nolte’s work a colleague said during a motion of condolence after his death in 1956, “he never allowed a letter or document to emanate from his office unless it was perfect in every detail”.

In 1935 John Allen Hardiman joined the firm as Dr Nolte’s partner. John Hardiman was an excellent swimmer, polo player and horseman. He went on to achieve fame in body building circles as Mr South Africa.  John Hardiman was known for his humanitarian life philosophy.  He continued practising until a few days before his death at age 81 in 1989.  At his funeral his former partner, Boet Roets remarked, “he was a humble man who shunned from the spotlight and who championed the cause of the underdog”.

A long cherished ideal of Dr Nolte materialized during 1948 when his adopted son, Cornelius Johannes (Boet) Roets joined the firm. Boet Roets was especially skillful in languages. It was said of him that he was an artist and a craftsman in the written and the spoken word.  The Highveld Herald reported after the death of Boet Roets in 1996 that “he was one of the most respected residents that Ermelo had ever produced and that this high regard was due to his unrivalled modesty and dignity”.

In 1985 André (Whitey) Strauss joined the firm.  Until his retirement from active practice in 2003, Whitey Strauss made his mark in the firm through his excellent ability as attorney and his uncompromising sense of integrity.

Following in the footsteps of great men who lead us, we strive:

• like Dr Nolte, not to let a document emanate from our office unless it is perfect in every detail;
• like John Hardiman, to shun from the spotlight and assist not only the privileged but also the underdog;
• like Boet Roets, to practice with modesty and dignity; and
• like Whitey Strauss to practice with ability and integrity.