100 years old, with twinkle still in eyes
ALL Nompasalala Siqwepu wants for her birthday is a new bed – because her 45 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren have worn hers out over the years.
Siqwepu, who turned 100 years old on Tuesday, will have a huge celebratory birthday party thrown in her honour at the East Cape Training Centre in Zwide today, where her friends and family will converge.
The lively Siqwepu said it was by God’s grace she had lived long enough to see her 100th birthday.
“I’ve been through many changes in this world, some of which I do not recall, and through a lot. It is all by the mercy of God that I’m here,” she said.
Siqwepu’s family – 10 children, 45 grandchildren and about 50 great grandchildren – will make up the bulk of the 300-plus guests at the party today.
While the family had a small celebration for her on her actual birthday, she was yesterday looking forward to tonight’s function despite her inability to dance.
“I had a lovely day. It was really nice but I hear the big one is [today],” she said.
“Back in my day, I used to dance a lot. Unfortunately now, I won’t be able to get down. My body is 100% right, but my legs are giving me problems.
“And besides, why would I dance for children? They must dance for me,” she quipped.
Siqwepu said while she was grateful to experience modern life, she would gladly go back to the days of her youth as life then was “a lot simpler”.
“Nothing is the same today as it was back in my day. When we wanted to communicate, we would send a telegram. Now there are cellphones and other things,” she said.
Asked if she owned a cellphone, Siqwepu said: “Oh no! I could never work those. I’m just too old for that.”
Her son, Andile Siqwepu, said the whole family was grateful to still have Nompasalala.
“We are very blessed. She is a key figure in our family and we are all so grateful we can pitch in and give her this special do,” she said.
“She is so many things to so many people.”