Retha Fitchat VANDERBIJLPARK. – When Johnny de Sousa was born 60 years ago in Estreito da Calheta on the beautiful island of Madeira, no one could have predicted that an Afrikaans speaking girl would one day steal his heart in South Africa. This is exactly what happened, and on January 24 Johnny and his beloved Katrien celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! As a child, Johnny emigrated to South Africa with his parents, four brothers and a sister, and first settled in Vrede before moving to Vanderbijlpark, where he completed his school career at Vaal High School. Katrien, in turn, was one of 15 children and as a primary school child moved from East London to live with family in Vanderbijlpark after her father died and her mother became very ill. She received her school education at Laerskool Vaalrivier and Hoërskool Transvalia. As a teenager Johnny helped out in his parents’ general store in Vanderbijlpark, where Katrien often came to shop. It was not long before Johnny noticed the lovely Katrien and began courting her. On January 24, 1981, the couple were married in the town’s Roman Catholic Church. Johnny worked at ArcelorMittal (then Iscor) for 20 years, where he became well-known for his work as a national organizer and workers’ representative in trade unions. He started his own independent practice, Johnny HR & IR Solutions CC, 14 years ago and is well-known today in the field of human resources and labour relations in the Vaal Triangle. He still works full time and is often involved as a consultant in cases at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Two children were born from the marriage and the De Sousas were also blessed with three grandchildren, Heinrich, Shanike and Rumé. While her children were still young and in school, Katrien worked at a local fashion boutique for a few years, but always preferred to be a homemaker in order to spend more time with her husband and kids. Katrien’s children describe her as a real ‘Mother Hen’ and a wonderful homemaker for her children and grandchildren. She likes to keep busy in the kitchen and looks after her grandchildren when necessary; driving them around to activities and helps anywhere she can. The De Sousa couple say the building blocks of their long and successful marriage are love, honesty, faith, respect and commitment towards each other. Johnny points out that it has been raining on each of their wedding anniversaries in the past 40 years. They regard this as symbolic of all the blessings they continue to receive from the Lord. The couple’s children are convinced they are the best parents and grandparents any child or grandchild could ask for. “They are always there for us and give us wise advice and guidance. Their children and grandchildren are their life.” Their family warmly congratulate Johnny and Katrien and pray that many more chapters of this beautiful romantic story will be written in years to come.

 ************************************************************************************************************