Sharing a birthday with SA democracy
SHE is as old as democracy in South Africa – a born-free in the true sense of the word.
Port Elizabeth student Anushka Wynford yesterday celebrated her 21st birthday, along with 21 years of democracy in South Africa.
“Our generation really is so much better off. We are the born-frees who experienced change for the better by living in a non-racial society,” Wynford said.
The psychology student from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, who was born in Port Elizabeth and went to Collegiate Junior and High School, said she has big dreams of becoming a child psychologist with her own practice.
Wynford, who lives with her mother, Leesle, and brother Miekhyle, 24, in Gelvan Park, spent most of the day yesterday preparing for her 21st birthday party at the Plantation, which was attended by 100 of her family members and friends.
Leesle said it was a Freedom Day miracle when Anushka was born 21 years ago.
“She was not due on the day but she came at the right time. She has always had great kindness and compassion for other people. I could not vote on the day she was born, but I made sure she voted for the first time last year.”
Another Port Elizabethan, Char- maine Jordaan, 41, also celebrated a special Freedom Day birthday – being an adult since the dawn of democracy in the country.
Jordaan, who voted for the first time as a 20-year-old on April 27 1994 with her parents – Veronica and Barry de Lange – at a voting station in George, said she celebrated her 20th birthday quietly at home after voting because of all the uncertainty in the country 21 years ago.
“Everyone was buying candles and food back then. But the next year I made up for it with a great 21st birthday party. It is really nice to have my birthday on a public holiday and everyone in the country celebrating with me by celebrating our freedom,” Jordaan said.
Jordaan, who moved to Port Elizabeth five years ago from George, said she celebrated her birthday yesterday by having a braai with her family.
She works at Good Fellas and is a mother to a 16-year old daughter, Marcelle.