Beatrice van Schalkwyk, of Rondebosch East, was born in the year that talking movies were still in their infancy, Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood and the first issue of Time was published.
Ms Van Schalkwyk, who celebrated her 100th birthday with family and neighbours at her home on Thursday March 9, is the eldest of six siblings. She has outlived all five of her siblings.
“I am so happy to reach this milestone. I told my son, Terence, it’s Lent, so don’t worry to have a big party, as I had a big party at my 90th, though just prepare a few things in case anyone remembers my birthday.”
Ms Van Schalkwyk was born in Rondebosch, and the family later moved to Crawford. She settled in Rondebosch East in 1953 after marrying her husband, Nicholas van Schalkwyk, who died 24 years ago at the age of 79.
She said her neighbours and the children in the community had always been good to her.
She attributes her long life to being very active and never drinking or smoking.
“When I was young, I enjoyed walking from our home in Crawford to Athlone station, and then I would take a train to Woodstock station and walk towards Searle Street by a clothing factory where I worked.”
She started working at the factory at the age of 14 and spent close to 60 years of her life there.
After retiring, she took care of her mother, Annie Davis, for the last seven years of her life.
Some of her fondest memories growing up, she said, were being part of the choir at St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, in Lawrence Road, Athlone, and spending time with her family.
Ms Van Schalkwyk said she had travelled on an aeroplane 39 times and highlights had been her trips to Zimbabwe, the Comoros and Mauritius.
These days, her trips are to relatives staying in Walmer Estate, Belhar, Wynberg and Rylands.
Ms Van Schalkwyk has one son, Terence van Schalkwyk, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“My mother is still fine, she has a walking stick, though her mind is still strong. She even puts yarn through a needle without her glasses. She still has her sight, her hearing and her taste buds, and I am so honoured to still have my mother who I can share many memories with,” said Mr Van Schalkwyk.
Long-time neighbour Gillian Juries said it was amazing that Ms Van Schalkwyk could still knit and garden at her age. “My children, who are now in high school, still have caps that were knitted by her a few years ago.”
Ward councillor Mark Kleinschmidt, who was at the birthday celebration, said: “Beatrice has an amazing memory, she remembers things in detail. She is a role model to her peers.”
