A 90-year-old couple who have been married for over 70 years, are giving South Africa all the feels while singing to each other in hospital.
eMalahleni, South Africa (04 August 2020) – A beautiful video of a 90-year-old couple singing to each other in hospital is giving us all the feels.
93-year-old Willem Snyman can be seen singing to his wife 90-year-old wife Susara Snyman while laying side by side in a hospital in eMalahleni.
The couple both had flu for approximately a week – Willem for probably two weeks. On Sunday, the 12th of July, Willem suddenly started feeling very weak. On Monday, both of them were weakening rapidly.
Willem and Susara are both extremely high-risk; Covid-19 kills an estimated 13.4% of patients 80 and older, compared to 1.25% of those in their 50s and 0.3% of those in their 40s.
On Monday night speaking to their eldest daughter (Estelle Wiggill residing in Hillcrest KZN) Willem said he was saying his goodbyes as he did not think he was going to live by Tuesday. This was a shock to his entire family as he has always been an extremely positive person and had probably only been in hospital 3 or 4 times in his life. By Tuesday morning he asked Annamarie to please take him to Hospital. She made the call and took them both. They had a traumatic experience having to lie in a tent, waiting to be processed and tested for COVID-19.
They were admitted to a normal ward that evening and moved to a COVID ward after receiving their positive results. After almost three weeks of fighting the virus, the couple were finally discharged on Sunday the 2nd of August after both recovering!
Willem and Susara’s grandson, Michael Vorster, spoke to Good Things Guy about the amazing recovery and more specifically how he believes singing saved them!
Michael says that Willem is both a creative and musical person. He has a very good voice and even used to yodel in his earlier years. He always walks to the kitchen in the morning after waking up and will always sing to greet the morning. He would often serenade Rita with second world war songs in particular.
“At family get-togethers, he would often break into song – it’s the way he will always be remembered. We will always remember his singing, at parties or some time just while in conversation or while he is working. He loves singing to Rita, the love of his life.
During the hospital stay, they went through horrible times, he explained that he was ready to give up at some stage and then Rita fought with him, telling him to pull through and be strong. Later, Rita was really not well and the tides turned, he was feeling better and that’s when the singing started again. He knew he had to show Rita that he was stronger and that she needed some hope and love. He started singing to her in the mornings to ensure that she knows that he is still there for her. In my opinion, this is what got her back into the fighting spirit to survive this horrible illness.”
Watch the video below:
The entire family are all very close, and consider themselves as a loving-caring family!
“Our grandparents had four kids and have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. We are all feeling unbelievably grateful that they have survived this far and all pray that they will improve to have a peaceful time for the time they have left.”
Michael believes that this is what true love looks like after 70 years.
“They are the most amazing two people and they completely live for each other, it’s amazing to just see them together. They are a true example to everyone out there!!!
Never ever give up and love each other like there is no tomorrow.
We just wish them well, love and happiness. An inspiration to the young people of today. Fight for your partner in life, never ever give up!! Not only their kids but their grandchildren love them and are here to support them.”
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