I stopped at 75 Stockley Road… holy ground… for a private, quiet moment. As I sometimes do when I’m in that area… once, maybe twice a year… the stamping grounds of our youth.
As I was standing in the street in front of the house – memories coming in waves – this guy on the opposite pavement was out moving his sprinkler.
“You looking for something?”, he asked.
I said I was just looking at that house… I sort of grew up here, and learnt to cycle in these streets.
I was ready to turn around back to the car – realizing again that the neighbourhood has changed and the people around here nowadays would of course have no idea what that house meant to a whole family for so many years. But I noticed him staring at me.
His mouth fell open: “Mr and Mrs Roux?”, he asked.
I was shocked! As was he.
He started telling stories of how Oupa & Ouma always came to check on him whenever his car stood outside for too long, the cakes Ouma baked and brought, and how Oupa showed him to water his grass here in the Cape Flats (he originally hails from Natal).
The “two most wonderful people I have known… please tell your family…”.
He repeatedly showed the goosebumps on his arms – never thought he’d meet some of their family. Ever. After so many years.
Troy is his name. And what an interesting guy. Business owner. Serious surfer… for over 40 years… surfed internationally… even survived a shark attack some years ago.
Wow! What an emotional meeting for me today. Seems for both of us! Two sixty-something lads – who’ve never met before – exchanging memories – with goosebumps and wet eyes – on a Cape Flats street corner under a hot summer sun with a healthy south-easter blowing.
Oupa & Ouma’s names were mentioned again today… so they still live… still influencing people with their kindness.
From the web: “Troy Henri is an avid surfer with nearly 40 years of experience, originally hailing from Isipingo in KwaZulu-Natal (near Durban). He’s traveled extensively for waves, including spots in the Maldives, Bali, and along the South African coastline, but these days he sticks closer to home, frequently hitting local breaks like Nine Miles and Garbage in the Cape Town area.“
