Bernice’s Story

My parents had their own businesses, in fact the whole family was wealthy and so I grew up with money. Because it was what they call ‘old money’ I was brought up with all the old fashioned values: put others first and help them, be respectful and grateful, be understated and never vulgar.

I chose George for my husband thinking he was the same. He was well off with a newly founded business which was proving extremely successful, and I was sure he was a better match for me than someone who didn’t understand the life of prosperity.

Angie’s Story

We’d been married just over a year when I noticed how weak he was. His mother visited us most weekends: pitched for lunch and stayed for supper. I hated every minute of it. Those hours passed slowly for me. She sat next to my husband and fussed over him like he was a little boy. Touching his hair or his shoulder, she gazed at him fondly when she spoke. It was my Mikey is great at this and my Mikey was always good at that. She sang his praises as though he was still a small child and he didn’t get cross or try to stop her.  Mike seemed to put her first. Her opinion was more important than mine. When she spoke we had to shut up and listen. It drove me mad.

Janine’s Story

So I had a few affairs – and I thought so what? Doesn't everybody these days?

In the beginning, he worked all the impossible hours so we could buy a house and start a family and I was patient, always there waiting for him to come home.  I couldn't understand why when he got home he didn't want to spend any time with me. All he wanted to do was relax, or eat and sleep, or plan some project or think about some forthcoming task. He even preferred watching TV or reading a book to spending time with me.

RAVI’S STORY

I returned home from overseas only to find that my remote didn’t open the gate and I had to hoot several times for the gardener or the maid to let me onto the premises. The gardener arrived and let me in through a side gate so I had to leave my car outside. My keys didn’t open any of the outside doors to the house and suddenly both staff members were no-where to be seen. 

Vuyo's Story

I’ve been afraid to write my story in case someone laughs. I know the Client’s names are never revealed but you feel sort of self conscience just letting it all hang out there. It sounds silly now. I actually wrote my story ages ago because I didn’t want others to suffer like me. Strange then that when I did have the chance to help

a buddy, I hung on to my story and remained silent until his life was falling apart and almost beyond saving.

The Runaway Wife

My name is David and I live in Gauteng, South Africa with my two young daughters. I am in my late thirties and the Managing Director of a small but very successful business yet until a year ago I felt like a failure and couldn’t see my way forward in life.

The Runaway Wife

My name is David and I live in Gauteng, South Africa with my two young daughters. I am in my late thirties and the Managing Director of a small but very successful business yet until a year ago I felt like a failure and couldn’t see my way forward in life.

HANNETJIE’S STORY

I asked if my story could go on the website with the other stories to encourage women like myself to take the plunge and start a new life.

The Specialist Divorce and Family Law team of  Martin Vermaak Attorneys encouraged me when I most needed it. They helped me to have the courage to get divorced when everyone around me was telling me not to be a fool. They showed me that I didn’t have to stay trapped in a loveless, lifeless marriage. Better still – it was not expensive and it was quick and painless.

MARELIZE’S STORY

He took my breath away when we met. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He touched me and I melted – do you know what I mean? I was obsessed with him. He ensnared me and I know it sounds stupid now but I was besotted and spellbound. We became inseparable.

A month or so later we got married. Although we went to the coast to a five star hotel for our honeymoon, we never saw the sea because we spent those two weeks in bed. It’s embarrassing now but that’s how it was.  My family stood on the sidelines and shook their heads disapprovingly – old mense I thought. My friends stood on the sidelines and shook their heads sadly – sex starved jealous old maids (they were all around early twenties!)I thought.

THYS’S STORY

First, I must say that some wives deliberately brainwash their husbands into believing that the women have all the rights. I had one of those wives. She did such a number of my brain that I’m angry at myself for how gullible I was. My divorce has meant salvation for my daughter and me.