Westville couple share a special connection

ROD Schafer was smitten by his wife, Roseann, the first time he laid his eyes on her and wrote her a poem that same night – which she has kept for 53 years.

The couple met through Rod’s late sister, Joy. “We used to catch a bus with his sister and one day she invited me to a friend’s party. Rod suggested that Joy should bring me with her as she was always talking about me,” said Roseann.

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Rod said their first meeting was just it, “I knew we would get along and we have as we do everything together and we have been lucky to have travelled all over the world. We have a very unique relationship that people always question. We do not need a reason to celebrate or invite people over, we just have a braai, just the two of us.”

“We have that telepathy between us, for example when I think about making steak for supper, he would just call me and say, I am bringing steak to make for supper tonight. Our relationship has always been like that,” said Roseann.

The Westville couple got married in Durban on 10 May, 1969, three years after dating. “We would have been married sooner as I proposed six months after we started dating, but I had to join the army and we did not have money, we had just finished school,” said Rod.

Through most of their lives, motor racing has been a huge part of Rod’s life, “Rod was an active person and raced all around the country. We played tennis together for many years, he has run the Comrades Marathon a few times, participated in Dusi and climbed Kilimanjaro.

“His love for cars has definitely spread to everyone in the family as our grandchildren and our girls are fascinated by cars. Rod even built his own racing car,” said Roseann.

For Rod, Roseann’s support has played a huge role in the strong foundation of their 50 years together. “She did not just support me while she stayed at home, she and the girls went with me. She has literally been there as a participant to everything I have done and sometimes coached me,” smiled Rod.

“Marriage is not always smooth. If you do not join in and support your partner’s passions, you are going to feel left out. My advice is, communicate, listen and leave cellphones off the dinner table.

The Westville couple has been blessed with two daughters and five grandchildren.