A 40-year-old love story concluded on Warner beach on Wednesday, 2 July, as part of a Dutch television series that reunites lost loves.
Arie Kuijper of the Netherlands met South African Doris Grobler while visiting his uncle and aunt in Witbank in 1973.
“It was love at first sight,” recalled Doris. “There was an immediate connection and we were in love right from the start.”
Arie could only speak Dutch, but he understood me speaking Afrikaans.”
The 20-year-old star-crossed lovers bid each other a tearful goodbye when Arie had to return home, but plans were afoot for Arie to immigrate to South Africa and take over his uncle’s bakery.
When he couldn’t get a visa, Doris visited him in the Netherlands in December 1975, where she was introduced to his family. “Unfortunately my mother was hospitalised with heart problems and she begged me to return home.”
The couple got engaged on Doris’ birthday on 18 December and planned to get married as soon as Arie could return to South Africa.
All was working in their favour when Arie’s visa came through, but then disaster struck. “My father was hospitalised with lung cancer,” said Arie. “When he died, I had a difficult choice to make – do I follow my heart or stay and look after my mother?”
Family obligations won. The pair kept in contact for a while, but then gradually grew apart.
Five years ago Arie started to search for Doris, with his wife’s consent. “In desperation he contacted the KRO TV programme ‘Memories’, that tracks down lost lovers and reunites them,” said director, Geeske Hattuma.
They tracked Doris to Toti, where she had moved to from Witbank after the death of her husband in 1997.
“When KRO contacted me, I was so excited to see Arie,” said Doris. “I thought we would never see each other again.”
Geeske and her cameraman flew into Toti and based themselves at The View Boutique Hotel and Spa. They spent Monday filming background footage of Doris, before orchestrating the grand finale when they saw each other on the beach for the first time in over 40 years.
“I was nervous before, but I was so happy when I saw Doris again. It was very special and a big moment after searching for her so long,” said Arie. “It felt like 40 years ago,” said Doris. “The years just disappeared and we were 20-year-old lovers again. I said to Arie, “now you can’t leave me again”.”
Unfortunately Arie will return home to his wife on Friday, but their love story now has a fitting conclusion.
