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People’s Post
WYNBERG
Local icon turns 104 NETTALIE VILJOEN
The Wynberg East Neighbourhood Watch surprised Getrude Malan with a birthday cake on Sunday 16 August. Malan turned 104 on the following day.
NETTALIE.VILJOEN@MEDIA24.COM
T
he “Happy Birthday” song was heard quite a few times on Innes Road in Wynberg last week as various groups gathered on Getrude Malan’s porch to congratulate her on reaching 104. Arguably Wynberg’s oldest resident, Malan’s actual birthday was on Monday 17 August, but well-wishers already started knocking on her door the day before. At 15:00 on Sunday 16 August, members from the Wynberg East Neighbourhood Watch (WENHW) were some of the first “guests” to stand outside and sing to the birthday girl – despite the rain pouring down. They also brought her flowers, a cake and some of her favourite treats. Salwa Beukes of WENHW says they first met Malan while doing outreach work among the elderly in the community – handing out food parcels and running errands. “Covid-19 brought many challenges and sadness, but it also brought reminders and gifts such as sharing, caring, compassion and looking after thy neighbour,” says Beukes. One of the tasks WENHW is assisting with during the national lockdown is the collection and delivery of medication from the Lady Michaelis Clinic. Beukes says this is how their paths crossed. “We were intrigued by her age and the fact that she looked so serene and youthful for her years. We wanted to celebrate her life. She is an example to young women. She is an inspiration, a pillar of strength, a pioneer and that is what we wanted to share with our community,” Beukes adds. It turns out WENHW is but the newest member of Malan’s very large fan club. Others include The Women’s Association, the Ons Vroue Dienskomitee and Radio Tygerberg who also came to show their respects on her birthday. Having lived in Wynberg all her life, Malan spent a sizeable chunk of her years serving the community. Through the years, she has belonged to about 24 different community groups, including a local knitting club which she ran up until the age of 100 in
support of Ons Plek. She is also well-known in the community for her excellent baking skills and has baked wedding cakes for several Wynberg couples. Malan still lives in the same home which she bought in 1945 and Charmaine Alexander, who helps out with small chores around the house, says Malan is in good health and as sharp as ever. “She has a good memory but she does get a bit confused about Covid-
19. She just can’t understand why people can’t visit her. We have to explain it to her every day,” Alexander says. To safeguard Malan’s health, a strict protocol was followed on Sunday and Monday. Malan would sit in the passage with the front door open while visitors gathered on the stoep a few metres away. Alexander says everyone in attendance wore masks and were asked to sterilise their
hands with hand sanitiser provided at the door. Speaking to People’s Post over the phone, Malan said she was very happy with the cake and the support shown. “It was a very kind gesture,” she says. However, once the danger of the Covid-19 virus has passed, Malan hopes to up the ante for her 105th birthday. “Should God grant me another year, then I want a big party,” she says.
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