The Complete Shoemaker – and Golfer

With his wife, Thelly.

Durban, KZN, SA – Michael (Mike) Lambrakis was born in the village of Kalamoti on the island of Chios in Greece.

In 1962, at the age of 17, Michael, his brother George and their parents immigrated to South Africa and settled in Johannesburg, Transvaal. The family opened a shoe repair shop in Hillbrow and the two boys started learning the intricacies of footwear; the styles, the cuts, the quality. Both boys made a career out of footwear.

In 1969 Mike, itching to become a South African Citizen, enlisted in the South African Army. He was stationed in Heidelberg for 2 years and then later fought on the then Angola/ South-West Africa border for 3 months. There he realised how heavy the soldier’s boots were and promised to develop a lighter boot for the troops. This canvas boot today is used country-wide for soldiers and police alike!

In 1970 Mike married Thelly and shortly thereafter moved to Durban. Together they raised 3 children, Maria, Nicholas and Andreas.

Surrounded by shoes…ShoePairMarket was his last business.

His work life:
In 1971-1973: Factory Manager at Scott’s Footwear in Durban
1973-1980: The Frame Group, Natal Canvas Rubber Manufacturers.
1980-1984: Production Manager at Poly-Soles in Isithebe, KZN. Here he finally designed and developed his soldiers’ boot.
1978-1983: Along with his wife and brother-in-law, opened Manuelo’s House of Leather in La Lucia Mall. Here they hired a young assistant salesperson, Rod Oliveira, who today owns Rodrigo Footwear! When his last child was born, the shop was sold and became Mia Footwear (now Kingsmead Shoes).
1986-1991: OG Footwear (later Kalistos Footwear, later merged with Andreoli Footwear) designed and developed the OPELA sandal as well as the Kalistos brand.
1992-1995: Lambella Footwear, manufactured the KANGOL brand under licence.
1995-2000: Andreoli Footwear – Production Manager

In 2000, Mike was involved in a major car accident and was incapacitated for 2 years, after which he exited the footwear manufacturing business, and for a while footwear completely, however in 2010 he opened ShoePairMarket, a wholesale footwear outlet in Westmead and in 2013 opened a 2nd branch in Old Main Road, Pinetown. However, shortly thereafter Mike was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and early onset Dementia.

The shops were closed and in 2016 Mike and his wife moved to Johannesburg where their son Nick lives.

In 2019, whilst fighting Dementia, Mike tragically lost his youngest son Andreas. The shock accelerated his condition, and he never recovered. Mike fought bravely until his passing on 20 September 2024.

Mike is survived by his wife Thelly, his son Nick, his daughter Maria, and his granddaughter Evangelia.

The golfer…Mike (right) with Giuliano Dalla Costa, a former colleague at the Frame Group.

Interests outside of work life
Early on Mike embraced life in Durban. He was a keen fisherman, a seasoned hunter and an incredible marksman, earning trophies for clay pigeon shooting as well as pistol marksmanship. However, when the golf bug bit, all the other hobbies fell to the wayside! From the mid-eighties onwards, religiously every Sunday, Mike could be found on one of the many golf courses in and around Durban. He was a member at Mount Edgecombe Country Club until he left Durban.