50 years – how they did it

Daryll and Dalene van Vuren celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 20 February.

The Boskruin couple’s history is entrenched in hard work and loyalty.

Dalene was born in Rhodesia [Zimbabwe].

Daryll was born in Zambia in 1944.

The couple married in Rhodesia and moved to Robindale in 1966.

Their only belongings were their clothes, said their son Wayne.

They started a family – a daughter and two sons, and worked very hard to provide for them.

They started a business in 1977, Rocktech Earthmoving Wearparts, in Strijdom Park.

Daryll was the entrepreneur, and Dalene managed the finances.

Together they worked for 40 years, side by side, making their business a successful one, with branches and agents throughout the country.

“Their secret to a successful marriage and business is finding a balance in working, living and raising a family together,” Wayne added.

Now the couple is semi-retired.

Dalene is a keen gardener while Daryll loves golf.

Both of them love travelling and frequently go overseas.

Wayne added that couples can work and live together.

“In fact the whole family can,” he said. “It takes trust, respecting their jobs, individuality and each other, [and] also being able to take criticism and guidance from each other.”

According to the couple’s daughter Karolynn, her parents have “lots of patience and good communication.”

“They are good role models for us,” she said. “It is not easy to be married for 50 years in this day and age.”

Van Vurens has seven grandchildren.