Mrs Jacoba Pratt describes herself as a joyful mother who is excited to see her second child go on pension.
Mrs Pratt is the mother of former Bedfordview SAPS head of visible policing, Colonel Ausker Pratt, who retired recently.
At 82, she still speaks fondly of her six children, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She said her family visits her frequently at her cottage in the Dewetshof Retirement Village.
“When we were still in Balfour, my grandchildren and I would bake together. We would try new recipes and talk a lot. They would tell me about their mischief. This has tightened our relationship,” she said with a warm smile.
Mrs Pratt married her farmer husband, Mr Casper Pratt on October 11, 1950, at the age of 18.
Mr Pratt died 12 years ago after a long illness. They had two girls and four boys.
Two of them are already on pension. Four are still working.
She said her children were born during the pre-electricity era.
“We used candles to light up and a wood stove for warmth in water. I cannot tell you how we did it, but it was fun,” she said.
She said that Col Pratt wanted to be a policeman since a young age and she describes her son as a go-getter.
“He always wanted to do what his older brother was doing. Be it sport or at school. He was also a risk-taker. At five he jumped and fell hard. He was unconscious. A worker poured a bucket of water over him and he woke up,” she said.
She said Col Pratt’s career choice did not obtain the approval of her husband.
“At that time, the police were not earning much. So my husband was not happy that his son would take such a job. But as he saw him doing it, he loved it and was proud of his son. He would be grateful to God as I am to see him doing what he likes until he went on pension,” she said.
Mrs Pratt said there were two rules in her home. “Be honest and l love one another. When you have a dispute, solve it with love,” she said.
To other parents, she also has advice.
“Show your children love. It is small things like a hug and telling them that you love them. Other big things are good, but the smaller ones are important too,” said Mrs Pratt.
