BLOEMFONTEIN: A celebrated centenarian, Katrina Andriaanse, is still going strong
at the remarkable age of 100. She celebrated this milestone on 28 July.
Andriaanse does not use a walking stick and still can manage to perform basic tasks in her apartment, like cooking and cleaning, with relative ease.
She does so while humming some of the songs lingering in her memories, as she goes about her business in her apartment.
Different entities, churches, representatives of the Mangaung Metro, and the greater community of the Reënboog Old Age Home in Heidedal joined the eventful celebration of the oldest resident.
Three of granny Andriaanse’s four surviving children even went so far as to undertake a special trip of their own to celebrate their mother’s birthday in Bloemfontein.
She was blessed with 12 children, four of which include two pairs of twins.
Andriaanse’s surviving children include her two sons, Moses and Andrew, and daughters Kathleen Du Plooy and Sarie Chamberlain − the sisters are married.
While several people regard reaching the ripe old age of 100 years a big occasion worth celebrating, seizing the opportunity to make it a grand affair as they show just how much they cherish Andriaanse for reaching the miracle age, she thought differently.
For her it appeared to be just another birthday, like any of the many she celebrated before.
“I cannot recall everything that happened in my life, but I am just happy for the fact that God is still with me and has a purpose for me, with me living to see so many years,” said Andriaanse.
She reckons that reaching this milestone was only made possible by the grace of God, and regards this as a blessing in her life.
Chamberlain (73) said she was grateful to see her mother celebrate 100 years and believes it is a blessing to them as a family.
She said they have learned many lessons from their mother, including their late father, Jacobus.
“I feel wonderful in acknowledging that God gave her the strength to raise all of us, 12 children, including two pairs of twins. I think there was a reason God blessed my mother with a second set of twins.
“I believe this was so that the first pair could see and learn how she struggled to raise them but ultimately managed. This would then help them appreciate how well she raised them as they matured.
“From my side, I truly appreciate everything she did for us, up until today.
“I love my mother, from the depths of my heart. Due to circumstances, I cannot be here with her in Bloemfontein,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain said she has wonderful memories of their upbringing by their parents − of her father who was a bricklayer and provided, and mother who made delicious homemade bread for them.
“My mother finds it somehow not so exciting in her reaching 100 years. She asked me: ‘So Sarie, what is the issue of me reaching 100 years?’
“I told her she is the now the oldest resident of the old age home. I told her she must feel good about it,” said Chamberlain.
