A love that has lasted 51 years
‘Classic love story’ from 1964
IT WAS a classic love story.
She was co-ordinating a function he was attending.
They exchanged smiles, which later led to a greeting.
The rest is history. That was over 51 years ago.
This year Dennis Munsamy and his wife Poobathy celebrated 50 years of marriage.
And their love story is something they never get tired of speaking about. “It is a classic love story.
“My wife and I fell in love, while I was at the Fosa Hospital anniversary in Newlands. I had a lung infection and spent three months at the hospital.
“A year later, I was invited as a patient to their anniversary party and that is where I met my wife. She worked in the catering department,” said Munsamy, 71.
His 68-year-old wife said her husband was the kindest soul.
“He also had a great sense of humour.”
The couple courted for a year and married on April 19, 1964, at the Isipingo Marieammen Temple Hall.
About 200 guests attended their tea-time wedding.
Four children and eight grandchildren complete their family tree.
Their offspring are: Preggie Munsamy, 48, a project manager; Mumsy Subramoney, 45, employed at the Union Building in Pretoria; Nelly Perumal, 42, an inspector at the SAPS Radio Control; and Kamie Naicker, 32, an industrial psychologist.
Munsamy worked in the tyre industry for over 40 years with the TrenTyre Group. He was a sales-administrative clerk when he was eventually medically boarded in 1992.
After marriage Poobathy quit her stint at Fosa Hospital to become a full-time mother. Despite suffering a stroke in 2002 and recovering sufficiently, Munsamy prefers keeping active.
He enjoys fishing, gardening, writing letters to the editor about community issues and is the public relations officer of the Happy Heart Club at the RK Khan Hospital.
“We have about 200 members, who have suffered from heart- related conditions and it is like a support group. Quite enjoyable.”
Poobathy enjoys gardening and watching South Indian serials on television. Their son Preggie arranged a tour for them to travel to Dubai and to India.
Despite becoming a vegetarian a few years ago, Munsamy described his wife’s preparation of fish curry as the tastiest.
To ring in their anniversary, the couple had a party at the recently renovated Island Hotel in Isipingo, where 150 guests listened to the lovebirds reminisce about the good ol’ days and enjoy a buffet meal.
Munsamy said marriage was not easy.
“Everyone’s path is different. For Poobathy and I, we had goals which we set out to achieve.
“It wasn’t easy and we disagreed about many things, but we soon got over it. I’m glad we never gave up.”
DID you celebrate your Golden Anniversary and would like to share your story with our readers? If so, email: jolene.marriah@inl.co.za