The picture of love after 75 years of marriage
It’s called responsible before the Lord and their kids; it’s called love. As mom said, she considered murder a few times but never divorce!”
A couple from the Bergville Retirement Village reached the remarkable milestone of celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary on Tuesday 9 April.
Hannes (who turned 97 on 3 March) and Bessie van Heerden (turning 96 on 5 June), residents of George for almost 30 years, have achieved a feat which perhaps only 0,001627% of couples accomplish, according to statistics for the US as quoted by the York
Daily Record. Bessie was 21 and Hannes 22 when they got married in Mayfair.
Hannes and Bessie have been very active until a few years ago, but both are frail now and have 24-hour care at their home in Bergville. One of their daughters, Maryna de Vries, the CEO of Life Community Services, spoke on their behalf about their marriage. She said it took commitment - for better or worse. "It's called responsible before the Lord and their kids; it’s called love. As mom said, she considered murder a few times but never divorce!"
De Vries said they were strict parents. "They would take no nonsense, but they were also approachable and tender, and understanding. My dad was known to listen before he responded. For him right was right and wrong was wrong. They applied the rod of correction to the seat of knowledge!"
Bessie loved making memory boxes out of cards and scrapbooks. "She also sewed and made all our clothes, baked and made preserves. Both our parents were ardent readers and encouraged us to read. My dad did wonderful woodwork, preached, and prayed and prayed for his kids and the world."
Bessie worked in an office after completing Standard 10 (Grade 12) in Mayfair. She went to an English school and was always the life of the party and the belle of the ball, said De Vries. "Dancing was one of her favourite things to do. She also took a keen interest in corresponding with soldiers in the war to encourage them and knit socks for them," said De Vries.
Hannes lost his father to a heart attack at the tender age of almost 10. "My dad was an excellent student at school and languages were his forte. When he completed Grade 8 in Klerksdorp, he was forced to find work to assist his mom to take care of the younger siblings as he was the eldest boy. My dad used to court my mom on a bicycle that he rode from the mine accommodation in Johannesburg to Mayfair. He did well on the mines and was promoted to a mine on the Copperbelt in Luhanshya, Zambia. He made mining his career and ended up as a safety officer of note in the mining community."
The couple got engaged before Hannes left for Zambia and they corresponded through telegrams and letters for a year before tying the knot on 9 April 1949.
"My dad came from the Copperbelt by train to marry and fetch his bride," said De Vries.
The couple have four children: Johan, Maryna, Estelle and Dawid, 14 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren.