14/05/2026
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE OUR OLD FELIXTONIANS? 🗺️🌎🗺️
GARETH CAMPBELL
(Class of 2007)
💙 Neptune
I had the privilege of starting at Felixton College on the very day it opened in 1996, when I was in Grade 2. The school was very small at the time, which made my schooling experience interesting as I watched it grow into the school it has become today.
My parents made the best choice by sending me to Felixton, where they were, and still are, big supporters of both the school and me.
After matriculating, I remained in Empangeni. I initially started working as an apprentice for an electrical business, but it did not take long for me to realise this was not the career path for me. I then attended Umfolozi Technical College, where I studied and completed my N3 and N4 qualifications.
I joined Bell Equipment in March 2010, where I completed my Earthmoving Technician apprenticeship under a team that supported Bell Equipment products worldwide. During this time, I travelled throughout South Africa and into several African countries carrying out campaigns that either resolved ongoing issues or upgraded machines.
I qualified in 2013 and was hired as Factory Product Support within the Technical Group Services team. I remained in this role for two years, which gave me valuable exposure and the opportunity to grow while supporting all Bell Equipment products.
In late 2015, I was appointed International Forestry Product Support. This role involved supporting Bell Equipment Forestry machines worldwide and John Deere Forestry machines across Africa, which allowed me to travel to many parts of the world providing technical support. I was invited by John Deere to become an in-house trainer. This required attending an intensive training programme in the USA and achieving a pass mark of 95% or higher to qualify — which I successfully did 💪🏻👍🏻 (of course you did Gareth!!! FC taught you well 😜).
In 2016, I married the love of my life, Alida-Michell Campbell. We had been dating since 2010. She has always been my number one supporter and has put up with all the travelling that came with my role. In 2017, we welcomed our beautiful daughter Saige Claire Campbell, who has been a blessing to both of us ever since.
Saige started at Felixton College in 2022, where she began her journey at the Roots Pre-Primary School. She is now in Grade 3 and absolutely loving it.
In 2019, I was approached by Bell Equipment Technical Services to complete my Private Pilot Licence (PPL) for helicopters, allowing us to provide faster support for forestry machines across South Africa. This enables us to fly directly to machines in the field and resolve issues quickly. Bell Equipment has used helicopters for many years for this exact purpose.
After completing my helicopter licence, I was appointed Forestry and Agricultural Technical/Aftermarket Manager, where my focus was on growing and developing the Forestry & Agricultural dealer network within South Africa.
In February 2023, I was transferred to Bell Equipment, Empangeni to head up the Customer Service Centre, taking over the role of Branch Manager after my father headed into retirement.
We recently bought a house in Mtunzini.
Zululand is where I was born and where I hope to remain.
Over the years I have enjoyed several hobbies including off-road riding, bass fishing (where I received Zululand Colours), being a member of the Empangeni Bowling Club where I have competed in several Zululand competitions, as well as the occasional round of golf.
OFA - Gareth, thank you for sharing your story with us. We are proud of your achievements and just love your little bubbly Saige.
