THIS month Mick and Margaret Sugden of Durban North mark a remarkable milestone: 60 years of marriage filled with love, adventure, and deep-rooted family bonds.

Also read: Northglen 50+: uMhlanga festival evolves over the decades

The couple, who married on April 24, 1965, first met in 1958 and began dating when Margaret was 18. What began as a friendship soon blossomed into a lifelong romance.

Their life together has been anything but ordinary.

“It’s been quite a journey and we wouldn’t change a thing,” said Mick.

In 1967, they set off with friends on an ambitious overland trip from Africa to Europe in a VW Combi.

Though the journey was cut short due to difficult road conditions and bureaucratic delays, it sparked a passion for travel that would take them to 57 countries and on 10 cruises over the years.

Mick, originally from London, came to Durban in 1957. His father, affectionately known as Uncle Cyril, entertained crowds at the Little Top on the beachfront and later became a familiar face at children’s parties with his Punch and Judy puppet shows.

Mick followed a more technical path, becoming a civil engineer and earning his master’s degree in 1992. He lectured at the University of KwaZulu-Natal until retirement and still consults in the field. Margaret, born and raised in Durban North, attended Chelsea Prep and Northlands Girls’ High.

A top student, she matriculated at just 16 and later completed a Doctorate in Demography in 2000. She lectured at the University of Durban-Westville, leaving a legacy of academic excellence.

Mick’s passion for golf has been a constant through the years.
A longtime member of Nomads Golf Club, he has played an impressive 576 games and was named an honorary life member in 2015 — the highest honour the club can bestow.

He also co-founded QACCS Golf Club in 1977 and was recognised as an honorary life member in 2020, one of only two founding members to receive the distinction in their lifetime.

While their careers and travels are noteworthy, family remains at the centre of their story.
The Sugdens raised two children, Tracy and Marc, and faced heartbreak when Marc was killed in a car accident in 2000.

“Losing Marc was the hardest thing we’ve ever endured but the strength of our family helped us through,” said Mick.

Their daughter Tracy and her husband Winston have four children: Caitlin, James, Dale, and Oliver.
The family home, bought in 1979, has been the scene of countless joyful moments — including weddings for both Tracy and grandson James, held in the garden.

Now in their 80s, Mick and Margaret spend quieter days solving crossword puzzles and taking part in family quiz nights.

“We love learning, and we love each other. That hasn’t changed,” she said.

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