New nonagenarian Marié Swart of Somerset West embodies this life-defining principle she offers: “Always give your best to every opportunity with God by your side.” This has sustained her through nine remarkable decades.
What’s more, her milestones are far from ordinary; how many can say they plan to retire only after their 90th birthday? This was celebrated at an intimate office gathering on 11 December.
Swart’s birthday coincided with the end of a remarkable 26-year career at Miller Bosman Le Roux Attorneys. There she served with distinction as a conveyancing and litigation secretary from 1 September 1999.
At the birthday celebration the firm’s director, Gerhard Smit, told guests: “Today is deeply emotional for me, as I reflect on someone who has been my secretary for as long as I’ve been married – Marie, who turns 90 today.”
He related how she, born in 1935, had witnessed extraordinary historical changes. “When she was born Nelson Mandela was just 17 years old, bread cost six pennies and there was no television. Marie had to wait 41 years before watching her first TV episode.
“In her remarkable life she has lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the moon landings and multiple epidemics, including polio, Asian flu, HIV/Aids, SARS and Covid-19.
“At 85 to 87 years old Marie worked from home during Covid with masks and sanitiser, arriving at the office every morning just after 06:15. I held her up to our staff as a demonstration of resilience, someone who knew ‘it’s not new, it will pass.’”
A CAREER SPANNING DECADES
Swart’s remarkable journey began as one of eight children growing up on the East Rand.
After completing her education at Witwatersrand Technikon, she embarked on a six-decade career, starting as a typist for a postmaster in Johannesburg in 1951 at age 16.
Life brought personal fulfilment when she married Willem Adriaan “Blackie” Swart, a dedicated South African Police Service member whose transfer brought the family to Somerset West 50 years ago.
Together, they raised daughter Lorna, while Swart built a reputation for unwavering loyalty across diverse industries, from John Laing Construction to Rex Truform fashion.
She dedicated 35 years to insurance between Federated Employers and Price Forbes before transitioning to legal services, which proved to be her true calling.
What sustained Swart’s passion well into her golden years? “The interaction with co-workers and clients, and the satisfaction of a job well done,” she explained.
This love for meaningful connections shaped her daily routine, centred on meticulous legal document preparation and Deeds Office liaison, but motivated by helping clients navigate important legal matters.
LEGENDARY WORK ETHIC
“For 26 years Marie has been absolutely reliable and trustworthy,” said Smit. “She had a special placard reading ‘Quest for Excellence’, and I don’t know anyone who believed in this principle more strongly.”
Smit highlighted her substantial contributions, noting she has handled approximately R380 million in commercial bonds since 2022 alone, with nearly R800 million to R1 billion processed through her capable hands via her long-standing relationship with Nedbank.
“Marie possesses a work ethic that few people have,” Smit emphasised, sharing how she once worked until 13:00 on a leave day, writing: “Gerhard, you have too much work for me to take a full day off.”
He recalled a particularly touching moment: “Once Marie told me: ‘Gerhard, you can take away my salary, but please don’t take away my work from me.’ This exemplifies her extraordinary dedication.”
Smit praised her adaptability through technological change: “From Ericsson phones to WhatsApp, typewriters to modern systems, she embraced new technology, attended courses and now teaches her successor.”
PERSONAL RESILIENCE
Beyond her professional life Swart has shown remarkable resilience while battling blood cancer with oral chemotherapy over the past two years, yet maintaining her commitment to work and community service. Her dedication to serving others spans decades, from Christian ministry and elderly care to supporting her husband’s distinguished police career until his retirement as colonel.
Asked about her greatest achievement, Swart said that apart from a successful career her proudest accomplishment is being a “worthwhile” mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Daughter Lorna Quinn expressed pride in her mother’s achievements: “I am in awe. As a young girl I would accompany mom to work on Saturday mornings. In recent times I noticed she arrived at work around 06:30, puts the lights on and starts her day. She has such pride in her work. There is no cutting corners with my mother.”
Reflecting on retirement she said: “We have left the choice with her about when to retire, trusting in her wisdom. She is a testament to navigating life’s storms with grace, faith and resilience.”
When asked about her future plans, Swart said: “I simply want to experience and truly enjoy what it means to be retired.”
