Thursday, 15 December 2011

For François, age is just a frame of mind

Comrades in arms - François and Rika van der Merwe

François van der Merwe is by any standards a phenomenal person - and proof that anything can be accomplished at any age. At the ripe old age of 91, he and his wife Rika spend their days, nights and weekends running the award-winning Santa Lucia Guest House in St Lucia. François studied textiles in Bradford, England and completed his practical work in five different countries. When he eventually returned to South Africa, he met Rika in East London in 1956.

After spending 44 years in the raw wool, mohair, Persian lamb and livestock industry, the couple retired to the small seaside haven of St Lucia in 1983, and built a large family home for themselves and their three sons. Thirteen years later after all the children had flown the coop, the couple decided to open what was then only the third guest house in the town. Little did they know that St Lucia would become part of the international tourist route for the region, or that the wetlands would become an internationally recognised world heritage site.

Still kicking
François still drives long distances. ‘I was stopped by a traffic officer recently who, after checking my ID, took great pleasure in telling me I was the oldest driver he had ever come across on the roads. ‘He even stood to attention and said ‘sir, I salute you’, as I drove off.’ A former Free State rugby player, François says his mind is as young as ever. ‘But my body is starting to dictate which activities I can still participate in,’ he laughs.

His wife says his mind is still amazing. ‘He is so informed on the historical, political and financial state of all the countries from which their guests originate and can hold interesting conversations with them all.’ François says he feels he would like to die with his ‘boots on’, but his wife says then he will have to find another partner.