Tannie Evvie a centenarian - and still counting

REACHING her 101st birthday milestone on Saturday, Richards Bay centenarian Tannie Evvie Botha marked the occasion by sharing special birthday hampers with her friends and neighbours at the SAVF Richards Bay We Care Centre.

Still in fine health and given a clean bill during her recent medical check-up, Tannie Evvie is still very much independent at her ripe old age.

While her mobility has been hampered in recent times, needing assistance in getting around to different parts of the house, she still enjoys her meals on her own.

Born on a farm in eShowe on 27 February 1920, Tannie Evvie grew up among black families, is fluent in isiZulu and said she only completed Standard 2 (Grade 4) education. While working in Quicks Tea Room, she met Theuns who she married in 1940. Only three months into their marriage her husband was deployed during World War II, and he went to fight in Egypt, Italy and Germany.

She had been pregnant with their first child, Basil, and it was only six years later that Theuns returned home after being held as a prisoner of war.

Tannie Evvie has been a housewife all her life - a role she did not take lightly, ensuring her husband and children were well taken care of and the running of the home was at optimal level at all times. When Theuns returned from war, the family moved to Durban, where he began working at the Durban Corporation for the roads department, and the family grew to six people, with three boys and one girl. Later returning to the Zululand region, the family set up in Richards Bay where her husband worked at the then Empangeni Borough.

The couple enjoyed fishing, and both participated in numerous angling competitions and events.

Tannie Evvie also enjoyed sewing, and that was a skill she passed on to her only daughter, Elaine, who is an immaculate seamstress.

Her husband passed away 38 years ago and Evvie never remarried.

Living with her daughter, Tannie Evvie enjoys a relaxed lifestyle with visits from her family and friends.

It is evident from her family tree that long life runs in the genes, as she still has three children in good health. Her eldest son passed away three years ago, however.

When asked about her experience living through the Covid-19 pandemic, Elaine said they have not told their mom much about what has been happening, except that Covid-19 is here and everybody has to follow the safety protocols.

The family strictly follows all safety measures to ensure Tannie Evvie is protected. She does not leave the house at all. She has 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 11 great-greatgrandchildren and even four fifthgeneration children.