Piketberg couple finally ties the knot after 40 years of dating
A couple from Piketberg is defying societal norms after tying the knot at the ripe old age of 69 and 71, after dating for 40 years.
Newlyweds Susana Voster, 69 and her husband Jacobus Voster, 71, finally said ‘I do’ during the month of love on February 12, four decades after first getting together.
Susana, known in the community as Sanna, said that it was always her dream to get married, but Koos was the holdup, as he never wanted to pop the question.
Sanna explained: “We met 40 years ago on a farm and have been together ever since. I wanted to get married a long time ago, but it was Koos who decided now that he wanted to get married at this age.
“He just asked me last year if we should get married now, and I said yes very quickly, before he changed his mind again. I am very happy to have finally gotten married and am looking forward to the road ahead.”
Koos said that the reason he waited 40 years to propose was because of the devil.
He explained: “Die duiwel (The devil held me back) het my teruggehou. I am very happy now because the man above made it all possible.”
When Koos finally decided to ask Sanna’s hand in marriage in November 2025, they struggled to find a priest to officiate the wedding as they are pensioners and could not afford to pay.
The couple was then hit by tragedy when a fire swept through their new RDP house on January 22, just two months after moving in.
But that did not hold them back from getting married and finding a retired priest, who married them for free within a week.
The couple was blessed with a wedding dress, shoes, jewellery, the groom’s suit and even the wedding rings were a gift.
Close friends Christina Heyns, aka Aunty Stienie, and Leoni Engelbrecht helped the bridal pair iron out all the obstacles.
And, according to Aunty Stienie, the couple were the most beautiful bride and groom in Piketberg.
She added: “Sanna always said that she would like to get married, so when she asked for my help, I knew I had to assist with making her dream come true. I told Leoni that we must get Sanna to the altar as soon as possible.
“Sanna was very excited to get married, and so were the broader community. They looked so beautiful on their wedding day, even Koos kept looking at his wife because he could not believe that this was his Sanna.”
The pair is appealing for any assistance towards the repair of their home, as they are forced to live in their damaged home and cannot afford the repairs.
For any assistance, please contact 073 991 6225.