Local lovebirds celebrate 73 years together

“Never keep secrets from each other and don’t hold back the truth, even if it might hurt your partner.” According to Aubrey (95) and Thelma (92) Dampster, this is the key to a successful marriage. The couple is from Ridgeview Retirement Village and celebrated their 73rd anniversary on August 4. Aubrey explained it was love at first when they first met each other as children while playing and riding bicycles on the streets of Prince Albert, Cape Town.

“We got to know each other as friends when we were still young. Later on, she became my girlfriend. I still remember how I allowed her to ride on my bicycle, which was a big deal in those days. I just knew she was the woman for me.”

The couple tied the knot at the Woodstock Catholic Church in 1947. “It feels like we got married yesterday. Our wedding day will always stay fresh in my mind. My wife and I are just as in love today,” Aubrey told the Advertiser. Thelma agreed and said he is always considerate and caring towards her.

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After Aubrey left school, he was appointed as a messenger during the war at the age of 16. He was in the government communication industry for about 44 years. He worked at the Post Office and Telkom among others. Thelma worked at a grocery store and at Woolworths accounts department. After that she became a home executive. The couple relocated to Boksburg in 1964. They have been blessed with three children, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The couple celebrated their anniversary by having lunch with their daughter, Judith, who also lives in the retirement village and moved in with her parents during the hard lockdown to look after them. Her father has lost about 80 per cent of his vision and her mother is struggling with her energy levels.

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