True to their pattern of togetherness, both of them were recently hospitalised and were accommodated in the same room at Netcare The Bay Hospital in Richards Bay. During their hospital stay, the Mahlalelas captured the hearts of staff, management and doctors – while dispensing advice on anything from the secret to a happy marriage to how to live a long and fruitful life.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (12 February 2022) – Couples looking for the secret to a long and happy marriage ahead of Valentine’s Day 2022 would do well to take a leaf from the book of 101-year-old Mr Thembinkhosi Mahlalela and his 94-year-old wife, Mrs Florence Mahlalela of Ndabayakhe Reserve, Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal.
The couple, who have been happily married for 74 years, have truly taken their promise of ‘to have and to hold… in sickness and in health’ to heart while dedicating their lives to becoming ‘one’ and to remain so.
True to their pattern of togetherness, both of them were recently hospitalised and were accommodated in the same room at Netcare The Bay Hospital in Richards Bay. During their hospital stay, the Mahlalelas captured the hearts of staff, management and doctors – while dispensing advice on anything from the secret to a happy marriage to how to live a long and fruitful life.
When asked what the key to a lasting marriage was, the sage centenarian, who has been married to the lovely Florence since 1948, said the answer was quite elementary.
“It is the principle of two becoming one and remaining so, as set out in Genesis 2:24. It is when one individual leaves that things fail. The two must be one in all things.”
On the subject of a long and fruitful life, Mr Mahlalela proclaimed: “If you obey your mother and your father, as charged to do in Ephesians 6:1, you will have a long life.”
He added that he believes strongly in prayer and trusting in God and has therefore always felt blessed. During their marriage, the Mahlalela’s welcomed 11 children into the world, though sadly, three of their children have passed away.
“We saw and felt that the staff took good care of us,” said a thankful Mr Mahlalela on the couple’s discharge from hospital.
He thanked the staff for taking such good care of him and his wife and asked that a photograph be taken of the entire team who cared for them so that they could remember everyone once they were back home.
“Mr and Mrs Mahlalela have crept into all our hearts during their hospital stay,” says Mduduzi Ngubane, general manager of Netcare The Bay Hospital. “Everyone was hanging onto their every word, and when discharge day came on 3 February, there were fond farewells all around as Mr and Mrs Mahlalela formed strong bonds with the staff during their hospitalisation.
“Mr and Mrs Mahlalela are an inspiration to us all and left a lasting impression in our hearts,” he concluded.
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