I was born in Uniondale, Western Cape, South Africa on 2 May 1963, to Sybrand Lourens (Louw) MARAIS (son of Schalk Willem MARAIS, 16 August 1881 - 30 May 1953), and Aletta Magdalena BOTES, 29 February 1908 - 5 August 1982) of Middelplaas (Middelplaats) Ceres and Lily Ethel BARKHUIZEN (daughter of Joseph Cavert BARKHUIZEN, Uniondale 5 November 1907 - 28 November 1956) and Elizabeth Frances VAN ZYL, Knysna, 30 June 1912 - 20 March 2002).

I am married to Cornelia MASON (daughter of Marcus Wellsian MASON, Hopetown, 18 September 1923 - 31 May 2001, and Maria ADSHADE, Swellendam 2 June 1929 - 16 May 2015).

We have two boys, Louw and Maricus.

We live in Hopetown from where I run a Customs (import / export) consultancy and training business.