Another year of good health is what loved ones wish for Stienie Vorster (née Pienaar), a retiree from Somerset West, who celebrated her 102nd birthday on Wednesday 10 July.
The cherished centenarian marked this significant milestone with a family gathering at Lourensford Estate’s Millhouse Kitchen.
Vorster, who desired nothing more than to be surrounded by her family on this special day, enjoyed the celebration with her three children and their spouses, one of her five grandchildren and one of her eight great-grandchildren.
Drawn on the secret to her longevity, Vorster said: “Greeting each day with a smile and thanking God for His loving care are essential. It’s also important to use your faith as both your compass and anchor throughout life.”
Vorster was born the fourth of seven children in the Vredenburg district to her farmer parents on 10 July 1922. She completed her schooling at Vredenburg High School and went on to qualify as a kindergarten teacher from Paarl Teacher’s College.
In 1947 she married Ben Vorster, and the couple settled in Discovery on the West Rand. Over 54 years she taught at several primary schools, including Discovery Primary School, from which she retired in 1976. The couple had three children, including twins, a boy and girl born four years after their elder brother.
Following her husband’s death in 1999 Vorster moved to Somerset West to be closer to her daughter. She lived independently in the Helderberg Society for the Aged’s Swannack Gardens for 16 years until a health issue necessitated a move to Mountview, the HFSA’s frail-care centre. After three years in frail care her health significantly improved, allowing her to move to Robari Lodge for assisted living.
Vorster has always maintained a positive outlook and has been actively involved in various committees, in church, school and the community.
With regular attendance of the Hottentots-Holland Dutch Reformed church Vorster values her faith immensely. She participates in weekly Bible studies at Robari Lodge and recently led a session sharing photos from her 1987 tour of Israel. Her lifelong passion for teaching continues to shine through in everything she does.
Vorster starts each day at 05:30 with morning devotions, preparing for breakfast at 07:30. Post-breakfast, she keeps herself informed by reading the newspaper and enjoys locating the settings of her books on a map.
She remains an avid reader and recently knitted a jumper for her great-granddaughter and namesake in Australia. Despite admitting to slowing down, her daily routine is still full and she retires each night at 21:30 after evening devotions.
Looking ahead, Vorster is excited to continue living each day to the fullest, exploring new places through the books she reads and staying connected with her family through such modern technology as WhatsApp and email.
