You’ve heard Nicus’s story a little boy whose life touched so many. But behind Nicus’s journey is another story his dad, Willie’s. And it began long before Nicus was born.
When you’re young, healthy, and building your life, serious illness is rarely something you think about.
You’re starting a career, planning your future, maybe building a family. Your focus is on what lies ahead, not the possibility of a health crisis.
But life doesn’t always follow that timeline. Sometimes, it interrupts without warning.
Just ask Willem van Zyl, or Willie as he’s known. At just 29, fit, active, and with his whole life ahead of him, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. What followed was a journey of shock, treatment, and recovery shaped in part by a decision he had made just months before: taking out Severe Illness Cover with Old Mutual.
Willie’s story: from ambition to diagnosis
Willie was the kind of person who lived life in motion.
A sport organiser, teacher and semi-professional cricketer from Bethlehem, his days were filled with activity. Weekends meant cricket, rugby, or golf and life was moving forward he had even just started dating the woman who would later become his wife.
Then one moment everything changed.
After an injury during a cricket game, he went to see a urologist. The next day, he was admitted to hospital and underwent surgery.
A week later, he heard the words no one expects: “You have cancer.”
When life shifts unexpectedly
The diagnosis hit hard. Willie had lost his mother to cancer years earlier, so the news carried a deep emotional weight.
“The first thing you think is, how much time do I have left?” he says.
But very quickly, the emotional impact was followed by practical realities:
Where will I get treatment?
Will I be able to keep working?
How will I afford everything?
A decision that became a lifeline
Fortunately, Willie had taken out Severe Illness Cover with Old Mutual just three months earlier.
“I had no idea how important that decision would be,” he says. “I took a colleague’s advice to speak to a financial adviser about Severe Illness cover. I never thought I’d need it. But a few months later, I did.”
That cover became a critical support during his treatment, especially during the weeks when he wasn’t able to work.
“There were weeks I just couldn’t work. Chemo leaves you exhausted. But the payout helped me stay afloat, focus on healing, and even plan for the future.”
Why it matters, especially early on
Willie’s experience is a reminder that serious illness doesn’t wait for a certain age or stage of life.
For young professionals, especially those building careers, earning commission, or starting families, the financial pressure of an illness can be overwhelming.
Having the right cover in place can help ease that pressure giving you the space to focus on recovery, not just finances.
The value of the right advice
Another important part of Willie’s journey was the guidance he received along the way.
Taking out cover wasn’t something he had planned, it came from a conversation and a recommendation. But it made all the difference when he needed it most.
As your life evolves from starting your career to building a family your financial needs change too. Having the right advice helps you make decisions today that support you later on.
Recovery with peace of mind
One of the most powerful parts of being financially prepared is the sense of relief it brings.
Willie was able to focus on his recovery without the constant stress of how he would manage the next expense.
“It gave me peace of mind,” he says. “I didn’t have to worry about how to pay for the next round of treatment or if I needed another procedure. That mental freedom was a big part of my recovery.”
Advice to his younger self
Looking back, Willie is grateful but also reflective.
“If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say: don’t wait. Get proper cover now. Talk to a financial adviser. You never know what tomorrow holds.”
Planning for what you can’t predict
At 29, Severe Illness Cover gave Willie the space to heal, plan, and continue building the life he dreamed of as a husband, a father, and a professional.
Speak to your financial adviser or click here to learn more.
Get cover that fits your life, not just your age. Because your health might be unpredictable, but your protection doesn’t have to be.
Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and Life Insurer.
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