Friends reunited after 60 years

IT’S the start of the weekend and people are settling in to a relaxing Friday evening routine. I’m approached by three old men. They give the unfamiliar faces around them warm welcoming smiles. Their lighthearted and affable demeanour immediately puts a smile on the otherwise apprehensive faces of the strangers.

There is something special about their relationship, and once we sit down, the flood gates of memory lane open up. Each of them begin their stories with ‘do you remember when’ and it’s understandable, this is the first time the trio have been reunited in 60 years. What’s more the last time they were together was 1954.

Naude Klopper (76), Jerry van Niekerk (77) and Andy Pretorious (76) all met at Voortrekker High School in the 1950s and it was rugby that united them. “There was an instant connection, we just clicked,” Naude said.

The close knit trio were inseparable and thus earned themselves the collective moniker of ‘The Three Musketeers’. It was fitting that the lifelong friends met on the same weekend as two of the biggest local Super Rugby derby’s were being played out.

“Normally we use WhatsApp to speak about the games, the controversial refereeing decisions or the brilliant line breaks. Because Jerry doesn’t have access to DSTV we keep him in the loop with live scores as they happen,” Naude said.

Andy who was part of the impressive Voortrekker backline agreed. “Rugby has always been at the forefront of our friendship. We all played for the same team and I got married just outside Loftus Versveld. Incidentally, the minister was a huge Bulls fan and rushed through the ceremony to get to the game,” he laughed.

“Come to think of it, we have never had a disagreement despite supporting two different teams. Naude and Jerry support the Bulls while I support the Stormers.”

After school the trio were seperated geographically but stayed in touch wherever they were.

Jerry moved down the South Coast (Ramsgate) while Naude stayed in uMhlanga and Andy lived in Melkbosstrand just outside the Mother City. It wasn’t easy without the assistance of technology they insisted.

Their reunion weekend was almost curtailed after Andy’s wife fell ill. “We had been planning this for so long and when Andy spoke to his wife she would not take no for an answer. She told him he had to go. She said the family would take care of her and he must go,” Naude explained.

When Andy arrived at the airport, he said he had goosebumps running up his arms at the sight of his old school friends.

“It was surreal, it was just the most amazing feeling seeing my two best friends in the world. When I was going through my lowest ebb, they were there for me and may our friendship long continue. We’ve all been married for more than 50 years and all our wives know each other, it’s just a beautiful set-up,” he said.

The trio also shared a touching moment as they knelt down at the airport and said a special prayer thanking God for keeping their friendship strong.

As the sun set on our interview, the trio walked away hands around each others shoulders with much to catch up on and I could not help but think of Marcel Proust’s quote which I thought would be fitting. ‘Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’