WINKLESPRUIT’S Conroy van der Merwe, who turned 80 on 20 June, is preparing for a celebration with family from around South Africa on Saturday, 5 July.
Conroy was born and grew up in Nigel in Gauteng. He graduated at the General Botha Naval College in Gordon’s Bay and then sailed on Theses Coasters as a cadet officer.
After two years, having decided that seafaring was not his forte, he joined Reynolds Brothers Sugar Estates on the South Coast and became an overseer.
During this time, he captained the Umzinto rugby team,represented the Southern Natal hockey team and took part in gymkhanas, winning many events.
In 1961 he married Marian, a teacher from Winklespruit who was teaching at Umzinto Primary. They have three children and four grandchildren.
In 1969, the family relocated to Welkom on the Free State goldfields where Conroy worked on various goldmines.
While there, Conroy began long distance running and has completed 21 Comrades’ Marathons.
Marian and Conroy returned to Winklespruit on retirement, where they lead a full and happy life.
