‘Oupa’s crazy ideas brought to life
The Klerksdorp-born and raised retired welder has designed a garden normally associated with little 'dorpies' in the Karoo in the middle of nowhere
WHILE most people his age wait patiently in the departure lounge at an old age home or retirement village, 73-year-old Marthinus van der Merwe keeps himself busy building items out of scrap materials to add to his garden collection.
The Klerksdorp-born and raised retired welder has designed a garden normally associated with little ‘dorpies’ in the Karoo in the middle of nowhere.
‘God has blessed me with good health as I have no chronic diseases or physical issues, which allows me to do what I enjoy.
‘If I had to sit on the couch, sleep and watch television all day, I will die.’
‘Oupa’ Marthinus currently lives on a farm near Felixton with his daughter, son-in-law and grandson after his wife passed away 10 years ago.
He worked on a mine in Boksburg for 20 years before getting boarded owing to back problems and was forced to retire at the age of 53.
He is constantly busy working on little projects, wanting to add to his garden which has been dubbed ‘Oupa’s Playground.’
‘I lie awake at night thinking of ideas on what to build next.’
He works in the garden seven days a week from 8am to 6pm and told the Zululand Observer that even though he does not get paid for what he does, it’s the satisfaction of looking at what he has achieved at the end of each day that makes it worthwhile.
What is impressive about the things he has constructed, is the fact that he does not have a work shed with fancy tools and machinery to help turn his ideas into a reality.
He works ‘old school’, using bricks as clamps and utilising whatever tools he has to finish his projects.
‘Oupa’ has so far created a slide, see-saw, swings, a replica of 5Five Ways Mall, a Ferris wheel, well, water wheel, outdoor shower, gallows, church, NASA space station,a karate clubhouse and a merry-go-round.
‘I do maintenance on all the objects once a year. What might look like scrap to some people is gold for me, as I love to challenge myself to make things come to life.’
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