There is one couple who has spent many happy years together and is looking forward to more.<\/p>\n
Carlos (77) and Maria (70) da Silva, of Primrose, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday (August 18), with friends and family, at a party held at Luso Africa.<\/p>
Both Carlos and Maria were born and raised in Portugal — Carlos was born in Lisbon and Maria in Alentejo.<\/p>\n
When they had completed school they both started working for the same company and that is where they met.<\/p>
“We dated for five years before deciding to get married,” said Maria.<\/p>\n
But it was a rather unusual wedding, as Carlos had taken a job in Mozambique, making bottles, and could not be at the wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n
“My brother Jos\u00e9 stood up and represented me in church,” Carlos said.<\/p>\n
Shortly after their marriage Maria joined Carlos in Mozambique and they lived there for a few years.<\/p>\n
In 1971 they moved to South Africa and settled in Springs, where Carlos worked at a glass manufacturing company.<\/p>\n
“After three years I decided to leave and became a pipe fitter\/welder\/boiler maker,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We moved to Germiston town and then, eight years later, relocated to Primrose, where we have lived ever since.”<\/p>\n
Carlos has worked in many African countries, including Angola, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, earning money for his family.<\/p>\n
He and Maria have three children — Joe (48), Victor (47) and Natalia Ribeiro (44), and six grandchildren.<\/p>\n
They are a close family and Maria adores her children and grandchildren.<\/p>\n
They also love their cat, Chaninha, who rules the roost at their home.<\/p>\n
Maria enjoys swimming and knitting and designs clothes and makes them for her family and clients.<\/p>\n
Carlos enjoys talking and doing things for Luso Africa.<\/p>\n
The GCN asked them what advice they would give to newly married couples and Maria said the most important thing is patience.<\/p>\n
“You must always be patient with one another and be happy with the man you have chosen,” she said.<\/p>\n
Carlos said you need to have confidence in one another and must always work together.<\/p>\n
“We have had a happy marriage for the past 50 years,” Maria said.<\/p>\n