When Malcolm Johnson met Katherine Johnson (néé Jacobs) in 1975 when they were both 19-years old, they did not realize that they would soon lose touch, but meet again 44 years later to create a new and unique love story together.
Malcolm and Katherine met in 1975 at a youth camp in Steinthal, a rural area in the Western Cape. Even though Malcolm admitted to liking her when he first met her, they remained friends, but never dated.
Malcolm, who retired last year after serving as ward councillor in the Stellenbosch Municipality for 10 years, said at the camp he sat right in front which gave him a better view of everyone, including Katherine who he described as a “beautiful and attractive being”.
“At that time, we were still young, and I was deeply shy, but one thing I was certain of – I was in love,” said Malcolm.
Unfortunately when Malcolm finally got the courage to ask Katherine to be his girlfriend, she declined his request and asked if they could remain friends.
“When I first met Malcolm, I was focused on my career as a nurse, and I was not interested in getting into a relationship,” said Katherine.
The couple lost contact not long after meeting and continued with their lives.
Malcolm got married to Desiree Johnson in 1979, and they had three children together, Maylene Govender, Ilse Petersen and Amy Johnson who passed away in 1994.
Like Malcolm, Katherine – who was a nursing sister at Humansdorp from 2007 until she retired in 2018 and moved to Cape Town to be closer to her children – also got married in 1982, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2019.
She has three children from her marriage, Andy Bruintjies, Angelique Draghoender and Angel Nelson.
Malcolm said during the 44 years that they were apart he did not speak to Katherine or see her.
“I never thought of Katherine again in the time that we were apart. I was blessed with a beautiful wife and three daughters. I had a wonderful marriage by the grace of God, and I lived for my family,” said Malcolm.
After his wife’s passing in 2019, Malcolm said he felt very lonely and decided to contact Katherine to arrange for them to meet for a cup of coffee.
“After my wife’s passing, I encountered a very lonesome moment in my life and my desire was to speak to someone who would listen with compassion,” said Malcolm.
“Katherine came to mind, and I immediately picked up the phone to call her.”
When they met up – 44 years later – they connected instantly.
Katherine and Malcolm got engaged in July 2020, married in November 2020, and now stay in Cape Town.
Katherine said she believes God brought Malcolm on her path again after so many years.
“When we started speaking, we shared so much about our lives and before I knew it, he crept deep into my heart,” said Katherine.
Malcolm said he could not explain the feeling he feels now that he has been reunited with Katherine, but said it felt like heaven.
