South Africa’s oldest recipient of a heart transplant was 73 when he received the ‘gift of life’ that gave him a second chance to resume an almost back-to-normal lifestyle. He has recently passed away after his body began to reject the donor heart last year.

The South Coast Herald has followed the progress of John Wilsenach, born on January 9, 1946, since January 2019.  Wilsenach’s passion was his work with ‘Good Life Paving’.

In April 2021, Wilsenach had the unusual experience of meeting the mother of his donor, Magda van Muylwyk, and they both gave testimony at a moving service in the Margate NG Kerk.

In 2022, Wilsenach’s body began to reject the organ transplant despite the special care and medication that he had diligently taken and on January 26 this year he lost his battle.

Earlier in the month, at his 77th birthday function, he gave thanks that he was the oldest living male in his line of the Wilsenach family and that he had been given four wonderful years of ‘extra time’.

Wilsenach was a legend of a man and his biggest concern as his end drew near was to ensure that his loyal team of pavers would still be gainfully employed. He managed to ensure this together with Joffre Hannaway, who is the new owner of Good Life Paving.

* Consider registering with the Organ Donor Foundation. You could save seven lives. Call 0800 22 66 11; visit Facebook @organdonorfan; or log on to www.odf.org.za.