Swanepoels bid Evander farewell
Retired couple Leon and Rina Swanepoel leave Evander for Brakenfell in the Western Cape to be closer to their children.
Long-time and retired residents Leon (74) and Rina (69) Swanepoel bid their community farewell.
Both grew up and lived their whole lives in the Teks area and left Evander on November 9 to move to Brackenfell in the Western Cape.
They decided to be closer to their daughter Rina Oelofse and grandchildren Lecia (21) and Gerhard (23).
Their son Martin, who was a teacher at Kinross Primary School, died on August 26, 2022, and Rina (47) is the only surviving child.
“It makes sense to go now while I can still drive and for us to be closer to our children,” said Leon.
Born in Trichardt, Rina went to Laerskool Trichardt and then high school at Hoërskool Hoogenhout. She met Leon in 1970. The couple got married on December 22, 1973.
Rina was a hairdresser for 25 years and known for her catering skills back in the day for the mines. Until the day the couple left Evander, Rina had catered meals for 32 children at a local aftercare.
“It was not an easy decision, especially at our age, having to make new friends and starting new,” said Rina.
Leon was eight years old when his family moved to Evander. He attended Kinross Primary School and finished his junior years at TP Stratten Primary School.
He went to Hoërskool Hoogenhout before going to Evander High School when it opened in the 1960s. Leon left school early to pursue his apprenticeship as an electrician.
He worked in the mines as an electrician for 26 years before being retrenched in 1997. Leon then worked for Sasol FFS for 13 years before his retirement in 2013.
He also played club rugby for the then Unicor Rugby Club. During his retirement, he fixes up vehicles, repairs around the house and helps other elders with basic maintenance or electrical work.
“I had seen this town grow over the years. Evander was black turf. We lived in one of the first houses built on Genova Street,” said Leon.
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The couple then moved to Aachen Street in 2012 and stayed there until they left.
An emotional Leon said: “We have fond memories of growing up and raising our children here.”
“It is time now. We have been busy and working our whole lives. We want to enjoy the time we have left in our retirement,” said Rina.
“We say thank you for all the fond memories and goodbye to our friends and residents of Evander,” concluded Leon.
