Hestrie, Jurie heading for NZ
2007-11-19 10:01
Danel Blaauw
Johannesburg - Singer Jurie Els and his Olympic silver-medallist wife, Hestrie Cloete, are moving to New Zealand in the near future, where both intend to write their life stories.
The couple from Pretoria and their year-old child, Chrizette, are to live in New Zealand for at least a year.
Hestrie said on Saturday the family was planning to settle overseas, but did not want to say anything more.
A source close to the family revealed that the couple planned to use the opportunity to write their autobiographies and to establish their record company, Stetson Music, overseas.
The friend said there had been a buzz around for some time about their departure.
"They're definitely not emigrating. They're just taking a year off to rest and so that Hestrie can write her autobiography."
Hestrie won silver in the women's high-jump event at the Olympic Games in 2000 in Sydney, as well as at the Games in Athens in 2004.
The friend said Hestrie already had sent part of the autobiography to her publishers.
House in New Zealand
The book possibly will be published by the middle of next year.
Jurie was thinking of writing his own autobiography, but there were no definite plans for this as yet, said the friend.
Jurie, who is well-known for his Afrikaans songs such as Hoe sê Mens Dankie (How does one say thank you), has had a house in New Zealand since 2001.
The friend said: "Jurie has permanent residence, and this extends to Hestrie and Chrizette."
The couple leave early next year for New Zealand where they will have their "year-long sabbatical".
Els's 26th CD, 40 Goue Treffers - Dankie, Suid-Afrika (40 Golden Hits - Thank You, South Africa) will be released next year.
- Beeld