BOTH widowed in 1986 and 2019 respectively, love-birds Molly Rabbipal and Dave Burgess will finally realise their dream of getting hitched.
A Home Affairs glitch marred the couple’s dream of matrimony when the pair, in their late ’70s, excitedly went to the offices last year to tie the knot.

They believed the death certificates of their spouses were sufficient to allow them to get married, however they were met with disappointment when they were told that the system indicated that they were both still married to their respective spouses. This, an error on Home Affairs’ side, took away the excitement, and replaced it with despair and confusion. Upon further enquiry, the couple was told their matter could not be instantly resolved and “only the Pretoria head office could resolve it, in three to six weeks”. And no assurance nor guarantee were given.

When Berea Mail visited the couple, whose love and affection for each other was impossible to ignore, they were nestled in Burgess’s apartment at TAFTA retirement home, with local councillor Sharmaine Sewsanker who has been a steadfast support system for the couple. Due to the rules and regulations at the establishment, Molly can only be there as a visitor during specified visiting hours, and in case of a sleep-over, a fee would be attached.

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The two met each other during their regular morning walks along the beach.

“We often passed each other with casual greetings, however as time went by the love bug hit us. Just like that we were inseparable. But as our desire to spend more time together grew, our frustration grew because we had to abide by visitation rules,” shared Dave.
He added that a decision to get married was inevitable.
“At our age all you want is companionship with the one you truly love,” said Molly.

On her undeniable affection for Dave, she was crystal clear. “He is so full of life and energetic, such a traditional gentleman.”
Dave melts on Molly’s humorous nature. “She has such a magnetic appeal with a quirky sense of humour. A neat-freak with glaring presence. We just cannot stay away from each other.”

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They are both solidly present in each other’s lives, hence a dream of staying together at TAFTA would be a seal of their love.
“This is the reason why the experience we had at Home Affairs was such a horrible blow.”

Sewsanker made attempts to intervene. She believes that there was no reason people who love each other should not be married, or stay together, especially those in their twilight years. She engaged the Home Affairs via emails and endless calls but nothing helped.
Fortunately, to the couple’s surprise, this week the love gods aligned and the Home Affairs debacle was sorted. They will head to the offices again, this time with renewed hope, looking ahead to spending their twilight years in each other’s company.

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