Octogenarian twins celebrate milestone
Based on their smiles it was clear the twins were very happy to have such a wonderful turnout at the party.
Sunday saw identical twins Sarel and Pieter van Niekerk celebrating their 88th birthday at the Brakpan Mines Bowling Club.
It was a beautiful sunny day and the party, which started at noon, was a tremendous success.
Fifty-eight guests were in attendance, some of whom had travelled all the way from Perth, Australia, to enjoy this momentous milestone in the twins’ lives.
The twins seemed overjoyed by the day’s turnout – everyone milled about enjoying a hearty swathe of food, hilarious family tales and the warm company of family.
Sarel and Pieter, who were born prematurely on November 8, 1931, in Van Ryn Estates, Benoni, have climbed to the top of their family hierarchy despite respiratory issues as infants.
They both said that they have managed to “always be best friends” which shows that sibling rivalry shouldn’t get in the way of family bonds.
Both Sarel and Pieter were married and have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sarel has seven children with his late wife of 66 years, Valerie Stevens, 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
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Pieter has four children from his first marriage and three children from his second marriage, to his late wife of 54 years Alia Maria Wilken, 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Both their wives died earlier this year.
This hadn’t succeeded, however, in dampening the twins’ spirits as they enjoyed the festivities with huge smiles and a wicked sense of humour.
When asked if they have ever been mistaken for one another they immediately began recounting tales of mistaken identity when they were teenagers and tricks played on their teachers in high school.
The most memorable was the recounting of Sarel’s date when they were only 16.
At this time the brothers used bicycles to get around but on the big day, Sarel realised he needed to work.
“I didn’t want to let the girl down, so I asked Pieter to take my place,” he said.
Once all the logistics had been worked out, they swapped bicycles and Pieter went out with Sarel’s girlfriend.
The ploy couldn’t have gone smoother.
Pieter returned from the date with the girl none-the-wiser and the pair resumed their lives as though nothing had happened.
Both Sarel and Pieter laughed at the memory of their cunning shenanigans saying that there are so many stories from which to choose.
This was just one such tale that seemed to be as precious as a family heirloom, with a handful of people gathering around the pair to laugh along with them.
Though they have definitely maintained a great sense of humour over the years, they also worked very hard on various career ventures
Among other occupations, Sarel worked as a mechanic, a fireman and a fibreglass figurine designer.
He designed the iconic Trademark Zebra for the Trek Fuel outlets, which is no longer operational, and made a zebra for the Leon Schuster movie Oh Shucks It’s Schuster.
In later years, he continued seeking business opportunities with his family which resulted in Bee’s Dancing Gear, Hamburger Hut and Twin-A-Electrical alongside owner and manager Lucas Boonzaaier.
Pieter worked at the mines and then at Fuchs.
Upon resigning he and his wife embarked on numerous business ventures together.
“We opened a two-in-one store which was a haberdashery and an electrical store,” said Pieter.
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He had a scrap paper business, a lamp factory and also sold hand-made furniture out the back of a converted cargo truck.
As with Sarel’s zebras, Pieter’s lamp creations can still be seen in parks and parking areas all over Gauteng.
Based on their smiles it was clear the twins were very happy to have such a wonderful turnout at the party.
Jenny Yeo (61), Sarel’s daughter and lead birthday planner, told the Herald, “We are grateful for precious years and quality time we are able to spend together.”
In that regard this made the day equally as important for the whole family, as it gave everyone a chance to get together.
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