up CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH...

Mangera

Rabeea and I met at the Eldorado Park Disaster Management Centre a non profit community based organisation that I was chairman of during that time

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?

We are married now for 25 years this coming August, got married on the 9th August 1998

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

We are a family of 6, 3 boys (Ismail 32, Rehaaz 31 and Daiyaan 15) and 1 girl (Kauthar 21) our eldest son studied electrical engineering and the second eldest does baking our daughter is currently studying police forensic sciences at UNISA and the youngest currently doing grade 10

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY AS A COUPLE?

Rabeea would like to counsel youth at risk. Collectively we would like to start our own business

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

The romantic picnics and long walks

WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS, CULTURE AND RECREATION?

I joined the department on the 1st July 1998 and Rabeea joined May 2003

HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND FAMILY TIME ?

A first it was difficult as the nature of our work is very demanding working weekends and after hours during the week, not giving us quality time together or with the children however we managed to balance our schedules and made time for our children fortunately the older ones were all sport fanatics

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF WORKING TOGETHER (IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT)?

The most challenging part is that we often work on the same projects/events, and both are away from home at the same time. We always must be mindful of personal and workspace issues and must leave work issues at work and focus on the home environment.

Our favourite cuisine is seafood

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR?

We grateful for our beautiful children and grand children , the gift of life, love and a happy family and above all surviving Covid-19

DO YOU CELEBRATE VALENTINES DAY? IF SO, MAY YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR PLANS WITH US FOR THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION. Yes, a romantic dinner at one of our favourite restaurants

WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME IN YOUR MARRIAGE THUS FAR?

The greatest challenge was that we went through a testing time due to lack of communication, not spending quality time together and work pressure

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH OBSTACLES IN YOUR UNION? We deal with conflict by having deep discussions and finding common solutions to resolve it

TELL US THREE THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT BOTH OF YOU?

Riedwaan was a qualified paramedic and was the Sponsorship and promotion executive for Reebok SA and Sub Sahara Africa, and the chairman for the South African Blood Transfusion Services.

Rabeea was an avid runner and ran in the world corporate games for Nedbank and is good at sketching.

ANY ADVICE FOR A YOUNG COUPLE WISHING TO TAKE THE MARRIAGE PATH?

Learn the art of compromise, treat each other with respect, set aside time to connect with each other as often as possible, have some adventures while you can. Take time to nurture your relationship with a weekly date night.