Lance-Corporal Pieter Swanepoel made an incredible impression on him some 40 years ago when they became friends while serving together in the South African Army. They formed part of the SWA SPES Bike Squad among many other brave men when Lance-Corporal Pieter Swanepoel’s bike tragically detonated a landmine. The impact of loss is great. The after-effects on family and friends can be painful and confusing. I was unsure whether we would get a response from Lance-Corporal Swanepoel’s family, because of the nature of the circumstances. However, it continued to press on our hearts that we needed to pursue our search for the Swanepoel family. It came as a surprise when, a week later, we had the privilege of being contacted by Ansie Swanepoel van der Berg (Pieter Swanepoel’s sister). Within two days, plans were made to meet with Ansie and her husband (Johan van der Berg). Loss within a family brings distinctive challenges. We rely on family members in everyday life for unconditional understanding, motivation and comfort. But when death affects the family dynamics, every-one is instinctively and appropriately immersed in their own sense of grief. However, after 40 years, two people with a shared sorrow could come together and share beautiful memories of a former soldier who touched many hearts in incredible ways. Questions that were never answered were finally put to rest after many years. I wish to thank Adele Louw and the Carletonville Herald for successfully assisting in our search for the family of Lance-Corporal Swanepoel. Secondly, I’d like to thank Yolande Coetzee for her heartfelt prayers and for exhausting all her resources to help us get as much information as we possibly could to contact the Swanepoel family. I also want to acknowledge Swanepoel’s sisters and brother: Ansie Swanepoel van der Berg, Santie Swanepoel Klopper and Zagrys Swanepoel. Your brother was, and still is, a hero. He lives on through you and each person who had the privilege of knowing him. His bravery and beautifully tender spirit will never be forgotten. We salute and honour his life. I hope this will inspire others never to give up searching for their inner peace. God is faithful and, through Him, all things are possible.
