HAPPY CAMPERS
YOU South Africa|29 February 2024
These three widows are living their best lives exploring South Africa
PIETER VAN ZYL
HAPPY CAMPERS

THEY met when they were camping at a resort near Bloemfontein and hit it off immediately. Marina Venter, Engela Erasmus and Daleen Osborne had a lot in common: they were all 65, they were all widowed and they all shared a passion for the great outdoors.

A deep friendship was forged and before long the trio had decided to take things to a whole new level and explore the country together.

They now travel in a convoy of camper vans, each one pulling a Suzuki Jimny for when they need something nippy to zip around in, and stay in campsites around South Africa.

Marina, Engela and Daleen have spent the past four months journeying 1 000km through two provinces - a voyage that's cost about R4 500- and they're revelling in their adventurous retirement on the road.

The women are chatting to us from Point Caravan Resort at The Point near Mossel Bay in the green belt of the Garden Route, where they've been camping for six weeks.

"We sit here outside the campers a lot, sewing. Usually at this time of day I'll be playing a game with pictures on my phone, Marina says.

But it isn't all about contentedly whiling the hours away - the women also need to get their hands dirty to ensure their vehicles are in good nick.

"We're going to get under our campers over the next few days to do some rust repairs, sanding and repainting," Marina 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
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ mins  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024