Still going strong

The Rynpark Six residents met at a youth gathering at their local church, in Primose, Germiston, in 1950.

The couple found themselves moving in the same social circles and thus started spending more time together.

After a few years of dating, they were married on October 8, 1955.

Thinking back to the first time she saw Jan Hendrik, Leonora said her heart beat faster and she knew she had to get his attention.

“He was a handsome young man who was well dressed,” she said.

She mentioned that her husband wasn’t much of a romantic, then looked at him and giggled.

Neither Jan nor Leonora knew what to expect from their marriage, but they knew they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

In December 1985, Jan and Leonora moved to Benoni, where they stayed along Pretoria Road for nine years, before moving to Rynpark Six in April 1994.

The couple welcomed their oldest daughter, Leone van Niekerk (56), in 1959.

And, 14 years later, their youngest daughter, Janet Muller (42), was born.

Besides being a teacher at Brakpan High School and Germiston High School, Jan also served in the ministry before he retired in 1986.

Working as a private secretary at Price Forbes, Leonora often found herself being Jan’s helping hand in everything he did.

Asked what she loves the most about her husband, Leonora responded by saying: “What I love the most about my husband is that he can do anything, he fixes everything.”

Jan said he loves his wife’s cooking and admires that she is handy around the house, including her ability to make her own clothing.

Endurance, communication and commitment are the principles on which the Bothas base their marriage.

Being staunch Christians they also rely on God and their faith to see them through their lives together.

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