SIXTY years since tying the knot, an Assagay couple’s family has been expanded to three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Janie and Koekie Janse van Rensburg will be celebrating 60 years since they tied the knot this month.
The couple met when they were young but only dated three months later after Janie returned from the town of Uppington where his parents lived.
“When I went away, I realised how much I was missing her, and I knew I had to come back. We dated, and in less than two years, we were engaged and then married in 1963,” said Janie.
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Cookie said her husband has been loving to her even at times when she did not realise it. “He hardly ever got upset with me and was always patient with me. At that time, I didn’t see it that way, but as I’ve grown, I have seen it in a different way.
“My best memories in our years together is how we made the most with what we have. He worked for the Department of Transport, and we stayed in the NPA houses where there was no electricity. We made a lot of things work even without the electricity. We then moved to different towns and finally came back to Durban where our children started schooling in a primary school in Pinetown. The first ten years were enjoyable, and before we knew it, it was many years later,” said Koekie.
Janie said that what made them thrive in their marriage was patience with each other. “You can’t always have it your way. It is important to follow each other and do everything together,” he said.
The couple said they are grateful for their family which is filled with love and warmth. “We always tell our children that no matter how old they are, they will always be our children,” they said.
The couple advised young couples to accept their partners just the way they are and love them instead of trying to change them.
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