Sunny and Nira Singh celebrate 53 years of marriage

SUNNY and Nira Singh from Bakerville Gardens in Newlands share the heartwarming story of their 53-year marriage that began with phone calls, and blossomed into an enduring love story. They also reflect on the day they became models for the POST.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Sunny, 75, who has been a financial advisor for 46 years, said their relationship was unique.

“In matric, while doing my homework, I came across an article in the POST where Nira was looking for pen-pals from overseas. I then sent the article to a relative, who was studying overseas, and asked him to write to her.

“A few months later, I asked my relative what came of it. He wrote to Nira, but she did not write back. He said I should phone and find out what happened, which I did. She answered. We spoke and thereafter my calls to her became frequent. We were phone pals for four months. I eventually came up with an excuse to visit her home. I wanted to deliver an invitation to her family to my elder brother's wedding,” said Sunny.

On December 19, 1969, they met in-person for the first time — for their first date.

“At exactly 1pm, I saw Nira and it was love at first sight. It is a moment I will never forget.