About Us

Ferdinand Christiaan Relling was born in Bad Oldeslo Schlesewig Holstein in Germany on the 3rd February 1873. His parents were Hans Hendrik Relling and Juliana Relling, born Gao. After matriculating, Ferdinand studied Business Management for two and half years. He then worked as a clerk in Hamburg, Germany.

After completing one year`s military service in Germany, he relocated to Madagascar. He worked as a manager at a commercial trading company for five years. This company traded with beans, rubber and inexpensive linen. Ferdinand was literate in seven languages, one of which was Russian. This skill was well applied in the import and export of trade.

He was on his way back to Germany when the boat that he was aboard, docked in Port Elizabeth. To keep himself busy for the time being, he applied himself in the Culinary Service and worked as a waiter at a hotel. He suffered from skin eczema, but after he moved to Graaff-Reinet, this condition of his, dramatically improved due to the climate change.

He got married to Katharine Alpen in Aberdeen and both of them worked in the Culinary Industry for several months before moving to Rossouwkraal, close to Aberdeen. With the money that they had saved, he had bought himself a donkey and a cart and started to hawk goods in the Eastern Cape.

They lived in Rossouwkraal for five years. Two sons were born in wedlock. Hans was born in Port Elizabeth in 1902 and Fritz was born two years later (1904), in Aberdeen. Unfortunately, Katharine and her 3-month-old baby, had both died in 1907. In 1908, Ferdinand had requested his late wife’s sister, Ida, to come to South Africa. They got married and lived in Aberdeen. Four children were born in wedlock; Otto Karl, Ernst August, Karl Ferdinand and Annemarie.

Ferdinand Christiaan Relling was a close friend of Gen. De Wet and during the Boer Rebellion of 1915, Ferdinand supplied food to the Boer Rebels. He purchased several farms in the Ventersburg and Kroonstad region. In 1919, he opened a store in Aberdeen. He moved to Jansenville where he purchased a house and opened another shop.

During 1926 to 1928, Ferdinand Relling moved to Ventersburg and opened a shop with the name, Gebroeders Relling. Hans, Fritz and Ernst worked with Grandfather Ferdinand. In 1930, Gebroeders Relling burnt down. A fire was set to the building after a thief broke in to steal a gramophone and tried to cover up the evidence of the crime.

Hans took over the shop in Ventersburg, while Ernst opened a shop in Virginia. Meanwhile, Karl and Otto had stayed on the family farm in Jansenville, in the Karoo, where they continued to farm. Fritz bought the Kroonstad store “The London Drapery Company” in 1944 during World War II, This building is currently Finns Foto First.

In 1948, Aubrey Kok joined the firm. Shortly thereafter, in 1954, Werner Relling, son of Fritz Relling, also joined the firm.
Ferdinand Christiaan Relling, passed away on 6 June 1961 at the ripe age of 88 on on his farm, Fairview near Ventersburg
Werner Relling and Aubery Kok went into a partnership with Fritz in 1965.

Rellings relocated in 1980 to the Harding and Parker building, were ABSA Bank currently resides. Jock Relling, son of Werner Relling, joined the business in 1991. In May 1993 Aubery Kok retired and sold his shares to Jockd.

Mr Fritz Relling passed away in September 1993.

In 1994, Rellings relocated to it’s current address of business, 78 Cross Street.

In 2011, Mr Jock Relling also bought all the shares of the company owned by his father, Mr Werner Relling. Mr Werner Relling is still very much part of Rellings, still attends meetings and gives his experienced opinion about matters concerning Rellings. In Ferbuary 2011, another Relling joined the family business, Mr Werner Rellings Jnr.

Mr Werner Relling Jnr is the fifth generation to follow in his great-great grandfather’s footsteps.

In April 2015, Rellings extended the store to more than double in size with two entrances, Cross Street and Oranje Street.

Three generations of the Rellings are currently the business.

Jock says the secret to surviving for five generations is: excellent relationships with your customers, exceptional service and the best quality products at the best possible prices.

Rellings has grown a lot over the past years and offers a Men’s Clothing, a Ladies Boutique, Sport Clothing and Equipment, School Clothing, a Camp and Braai Section and a Workwear and Corporate Wear Department. We have an in-house Embroidery and design centre.

Rellings would like to thank our heavenly Father for His blessing on us over the years as well as our loyal customers for their continued support.

We as Rellings, assure you that we will always strive to give Excellent Service, Quality Products and support our community. Please come in and have a chat with us. Rellings, your family store. Affordable Quality, Professional Service.