Tragedy had followed him like a black cloud. First his teenage daughter, Mundolene, died during a family holiday in Mauritius, then his beloved son Marnuwico was gone just less than two years later after an accident on his new off-road motorbike.
Mike Vosloo was still reeling with grief when he walked into the quiet pizza restaurant on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
Life seemed to have been stripped of all joy, the happy family he once cherished vanished like dust.
There seemed little more to live for – and then something remarkable happened. Mike laid eyes on single mom Danieta van der Spuy and her son, Danie (now 8), who were in the restaurant that evening. And slowly a sliver of light broke through the cloud and slipped back into his world.
“We’d seen each other around before but we’d never met,” says Danieta, a primary school teaching assistant who’d taught Marnuwico in Grade 3.
“I said hello to Mike and told him how sorry I was about his boy.”
Mike had noticed the attractive teacher when he dropped his son off at school but had never spoken to her before.
“But that evening he asked if Danie and I were by ourselves and said we could join him at his table if we wanted to,” Danieta says. “We started talking and haven’t stopped since.”
That was November 2018 and things went from strength to strength – so much so in fact that they decided to get married.
And for Mike life is very much worth living again. There’s a sizeable age gap between the couple – he’s 50 and she turns 26 next month – but it’s no obstacle, they say.
This story is from the 25 June 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 25 June 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE MICHAEL'S ANGELS
The king of pop's kids are a close-knit trio who guard their privacy fiercely
BARBIES ON THE GO!
Sending their dolls 'travelling' around the country started as way to escape everyday life during the pandemic and four years later they're still going strong
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
These musician decided to pack up their lives and trek across the country - with three kids in tow!
TALES FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
After 40 years in Tinseltown, filmmaker Ed Zwick is spilling the beans about the stars with the biggest egos in his tell-all memoir - and he doesn't regret a thing
India's national election
SOUTH Africa isn't the only country holding an election this year - America and India, among others, are also heading to the polls. Most countries hold elections every five years, and it typically takes place one day before the votes are counted.
IS YOUR BRA HARMING YOUR HEALTH?
Wearing the wrong bra size can cause more than discomfort - a poor fit can lead to bigger problems
MY STORY IS ONE OF HOPE
She was born with a rare condition that affects her muscles but it hasn't stopped Kerry from getting a degree or writing a book
DEATH FROM ABOVE
Drones, like the one used to kill seven aid workers in Gaza, are becoming common in battlefields
FINALLY I'M FREE
IT STARTED innocently enough, with a Bible study group, scripture readings and prayers in the suburbs of Centu rion.
CONJOINED IN HOLY MATRIMONY
Abby and Brittany have again sparked public interest after Abby's 2021 wedding recently made headlines