GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
YOU South Africa|9 May 2024
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
COLIN HENDRICKS PICTURES: ER LOMBARD
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH

AT THE age of 30 he can finally enjoy things other people take for granted – taking a full breath of air, enjoying a cool breeze without worrying about getting sick, being strong enough to put in a full day of work.

It’s strange to get cold and not worry about it, Andries van der Merwe says. “Before the lung transplant I had to put on a jacket immediately to avoid infection and disease. Now it’s nice. I can get cold, I can walk in the rain without it being a big deal.”

Andries was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was three years old and his lung capacity was just 17% when he received a new set of lungs in 2019.

“I’m 100% today,” he says.

His life is full to the brim. He recently started working as a sous chef at Guardian Peak restaurant near Stellenbosch and he’s embracing each new day – but he isn’t only doing so for himself, he says.

He’s also doing it in tribute to Storm Smorenburg, whose lungs he uses to inhale the fresh mountain air each new day.

Storm was 18 when he died in a tragic accident and his lungs were donated to give Andries the gift of life.

Andries’ mother, Anna-Mart, has since become close friends with Storm’s mom, Lisa. Anna-Mart wrote the book Silence Before Storm in 2021 about the two boys and their families’ journey.

As a result of the women’s unbreakable bond Andries has learnt a lot about the teenager.

“Storm rode his skateboard a lot, he was a lifeguard, he played first-team rugby and he liked daredevil-type stuff,” he says.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView all
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
YOU South Africa

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST

With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
YOU South Africa

SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES

John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
YOU South Africa

SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG

A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
LIAM LAID TO REST
YOU South Africa

LIAM LAID TO REST

More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
SHILOH HANGS OUT
YOU South Africa

SHILOH HANGS OUT

THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
LEO IN LOVE
YOU South Africa

LEO IN LOVE

He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down

time-read
3 mins  |
5 December 2024
PACKING A PUNCH
YOU South Africa

PACKING A PUNCH

Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
YOU South Africa

I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD

As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
YOU South Africa

'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'

A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
YOU South Africa

THE CLAWS ARE OUT!

Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William

time-read
7 mins  |
5 December 2024