60 years of being number one
Five children later, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren later, Chris and Sannie van Zyl are still in love.
LOVE at first sight is the best expression to sum up the moment Chris van Zyl met his wife, Sannie. The 84-year-old Hilary resident, and Sannie (78), celebrated their diamond anniversary on Thursday, 28 January.
Chris left his parents’ farm in Albertinia, Southern Cape, to work for the SA Railways. He was deployed to Durban, and lived in the Railway Hostel in Congella. He was later referred to a private boarding house in Booth, which belonged to William and Louisa Drysdale, Sannie’s parents.
He instinctively knew that Sannie was the woman for him when he laid his eyes on her for the first time. However, she had no idea. In fact, she could not stand him. He was forever teasing her and doing everything possible to catch her attention, said their daughter, Sarie Ihlenfeldt.
She said her grandparents both loved Chris and they had a very close bond.
“Mom eventually started noticing all the great qualities in this man, Chris, and soon love blossomed. He showered her with flowers and pretty things – he always made her feel special and the only woman for him,” said Sarie.
A little while later, Chris was transferred to Walvisbaai and asked for Sannie’s parents blessing as he wanted to propose. After a transfer back to Durban with Chris working as a steam locomotive driver, the couple decided to get married on Saturday, 26 January 1957 in Sea View NG Church.
In November 1967, they moved into their newly built home in Fremantle Road, Hillary, where they still live, happily.
The couple had five children but unfortunately their youngest son, Chrissie, died in a fatal car accident, just four months after getting married.
Except for their youngest daughter, who lives in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, their other three children live close by. They also have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
After a lifetime together and a big happy family, Chris and Sannie said they are still each other’s “number one”.
Chris said: “Always have God in both your lives – with Him, all things are made possible. Always be honest in your relationship.
“Respect and love your partner, always. Nothing else and nobody else should be more important than your partner in marriage.”
