Secunda-women celebrate a 40-year friendship

HIGHVELD – What began with a simple knock on the door has turned into 40 years of not just hard work and dedication, but a friendship.

Ms Sarah Mabena and Ms Marlene de Villiers would describe their relationship as more than friends – they are family.

Four decades ago Ms Mabena (then 21 years old) knocked on the door of Ms De Villiers and could only hope that she would find employment.

Little did both women know that this would be a day that would change both lives. Today the pair is inseparable and could not imagine life without each other.

The women have shared every moment from joyful occasions to heartbreaking losses.

Not only did Ms Mabena help raise four children while Ms De Villiers had to work, but she is also helping to raise the next generation that consists of eight grandchildren.

“This is not my place of work, this is my family. I love “ouma” so much I don’t know what I would do without her. I pray every day that the Lord spares my first family,” said Ms Mabena.

She went on saying that she has just as much love for all the children and grandchildren she has raised over the years.

An emotional Ms De Villiers said out of all the people that have known her, she knows Ms Mabena the longest and says that it is a privilege to have a friendship for so many years.

“Not everyone can say they have had a friendship for so long,” said Ms De Villiers.

The family brag about Ms Mabena’s cooking skills. She is also known to make some of the best cakes.

“She is strict. The children know that when Sarah has spoken then that is it, she talks only once,” said Ms De Villiers.

However, the grandchildren have their versions and say Sarah has covered up many times for them. The duo has such a strong bond that without saying a word and a simple look in the eye could tell if they are having an “off” (down in the mood) day.

Ms Mabena has spent every special moment with the family, even being in the front row seat as the children she had raised and called her own, walked down the aisle in their adult years.

“When our oldest grandchild gets married, Sarah will be there. If she does not go, I will not go, that is just how it is,” said Ms De Villiers.

Ms De Villiers said this is a special friendship and that Ms Mabena is treated no differently than the rest of the family.

“What I eat, she eats. What I drink, she drinks,” said Ms De Villiers.

Ms Mabena had two children of her own, but lost the one child at a very young age. Her son, John, died nearly two years ago, leaving Ms Mabena with one grandchild of her own.

She has no siblings and only knew her mother’s side of the family.

Ms Mabena wanted to learn more about her father’s side of the family as she never knew of them.

After reaching out to a radio station, her relatives from her father’s side were traced.

“A day after the broadcast this lady phoned Sarah and said that she was the sister of Sarah’s father,” said Ms De Villiers.

Ms De Villiers and her husband were a bit worried when Ms Mabena was set to meet the family as they did not know if it was a hoax or a criminal motive behind it.

Ms Mabena did not go the journey alone as she had a friend accompany her.

“Sarah and her aunty are a spitting image of one another,” said Ms De Villiers.

Ms Mabena is grateful that she has found lost relatives and said she is extremely blessed to have extended her family.

Although Ms Mabena had never been married she seems to be content with the way her life is now.

The duo hopes to see their friendship continue for as long as the decades may take them.