At 93 years old, Joachim Breydenbach is proving that strength, love, and purpose don’t fade with time… they deepen.
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 June 2025) – This Father’s Day, one incredible man is reminding us what resilience, love and community truly look like… all while wearing the affectionate title of ‘The Godfather’.
Meet Joachim Breydenbach, the 93-year-old grandfather, great-grandfather, and all-around legend who’s become a cherished part of the National Renal Care (NRC) Pinehaven family. Fondly known as ‘The Godfather’ due to his seniority among patients, Mr Breydenbach is living proof that age is just a number and that community care can make all the difference.
Mr Breydenbach, who lives in Florida, Roodepoort, retired from South African Railways nearly 30 years ago. He once spent most of his days pottering around in his garden, and while he’s taken life a bit slower recently, his spirit hasn’t slowed down a bit.
“He’ll be 94 in November,” says his son, Mike.
“But you wouldn’t say it – he still looks at least 20 years younger. My dad is a fighter. He enjoys his weekly dialysis sessions not just because they’re lifesaving, but because of the friends and connections he’s made there.”
Mr Breydenbach has been receiving dialysis treatment at NRC Pinehaven for the last three and a half years after experiencing complete kidney failure. He now visits three times a week and has found a second family in the community that surrounds him.
“Dialysis is a lifeline for my father,” Mike continues.
“The staff, the patients, their families – they all become part of your world. There’s a genuine warmth here. The medical team, especially Dr Variava and the nursing staff, are incredibly kind and attentive. And for a 93-year-old, that care means the world.”
It’s that very spirit of compassion and community that lies at the heart of National Renal Care’s work. As they mark Father’s Day and 30 years of service to renal patients across South Africa this July, they’re also celebrating their eldest patient and the life stories that remind them why they do what they do.
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“Mr Breydenbach is National Renal Care’s oldest patient,” says Dejmaine Raju, Gauteng operations manager of NRC.
“And on this Father’s Day, we want to celebrate him – and all the dads in our care. Every patient becomes part of our tight-knit family, and our work is grounded in care that is both digitally enabled and deeply personal.”
NRC Pinehaven, based at Netcare Pinehaven Hospital, is currently undergoing an exciting redevelopment to expand treatment areas and upgrade its facilities, a clear sign of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to patient-first care. The upgraded space will help patients live more comfortably and confidently with their conditions.
“Care isn’t just clinical,” says NRC CEO Dr Chevon Clark. “It’s about the small, human things – the connections, the calm, the community. Our job is to ensure that people like Mr Breydenbach get to keep living the lives they love, supported every step of the way.”
In addition to physical care, NRC offers digital tools through its mobile app to help patients monitor symptoms, manage diets, track fluid intake, and stay informed, empowering them to take control of their health in meaningful ways.
NRC’s care model and commitment to excellence has also earned international recognition, including ISO 9001:2015 certification through the British Standards Institute (BSI).
As Dr Clark puts it, “No one chooses kidney failure. But our patients choose to live. Every day. With courage. With heart. And with the support of a community that sees them.”
Mr Breydenbach’s journey is more than just a story about dialysis or age, it’s about community, love, resilience and the quiet power of human connection. It’s about showing up, even on the hard days. About making friends in unexpected places. About living with purpose, no matter your age. And it’s a reminder, to all of us, that life isn’t measured in years alone but in how much heart you bring to each one.
Happy Father’s Day to every dad navigating life with courage, kindness and a spark that never fades.
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