Athlone Park couple Marlene (70) and Dave (72) le Roux celebrated 50 years of marriage.
The couple met at a party in Brighton Beach when they were introduced by friends and Dave requested a dance.
“She was beautiful,” said Dave. “He was clean-looking and we hit if off immediately,” said Marlene.
Surprisingly both grew up in East London but had never met. Dave was born in East London and moved to Durban at the age of 14. Marlene was born in Johannesburg but moved to East London at a young age.
Their birth dates are exactly a month apart – Dave’s birthday is on 8 August while Marlene celebrates on 8 September.
They were engaged four months after meeting and were married at the Central Methodist Church in Durban on 29 October 1966. They have two daughters Tracy and Kim and granddaughter Natasja.
They attribute having common interests as the reason for the longevity of their marriage.
Dave was a prolific long distance runner who boasts eight silver medals and a best time of 6.42 in the more than 10 Comrades Marathons he completed.
Marlene was his second, who endured the difficult job of driving to the next stop in-between changing nappies and bottles.
Dave was a joiner by trade, while Marlene worked at the SUN as a sales consultant, before taking up a position at the family’s Froggie shoe factory. She was instrumental in opening the business’ first factory shop and now in their retirement, the couple have opened their own shop in Toti.
Marlene’s advice for young married couples is simple: “Stay off your cellphones and Facebook. All problems arise from temptation.”
