CECILIE Young is definitely living up to her name, as she turned 100 years 'young' on 11 March.
Cecilie is a remarkable woman, who at 100, is proud of the fact that she still has all her own teeth, she doesn't wear glasses and she doesn't have a hearing aid. She can get around, and walks aided by a walker. She contributes her age and her good health to the fact that she has always been sporty and active and has always eaten sensibly.
Cecilie has seen a lot over the years. She grew up with her brother Fred on a farm in Kranskop during the ox wagon and trap and horses era, going on all her picnics and camping holidays by ox wagon. As there were more boys in her village than girls, she became a tomboy, climbing trees, playing cops and robbers, rounders and riding horses and donkeys bareback, always with her brother there to keep an eye on her. She and Fred were both keen tennis players and played together in competitions countrywide. Cecilie played tennis until her late 70s, when she took up bowls.
Cecilie is a direct descendant of the Voortrekkers on her mother's side and her great-great-grandfather fought in the Battle of Blood River. Her grandmother was the youngest of the Louis Botha family. She can speak fluent Zulu, Afrikaans and English.
She moved to Durban and worked for lawyers, then married Edmond Young and lived in Cape Town for a while. In 1956 the couple moved to Zululand where he opened a pharmacy in Empangeni. The couple moved to Durban around 1964 where he worked at Entabeni Hospital and Cecilie did volunteer work.
Cecilie was also a champion ballroom dancer.
Cecilie was treated to a special tea after her church service in Westville on Sunday. Speaking at the tea, Peter Buss Jnr from the US read out a letter to Cecilie from his parents, who were her good friends. He said: “We love your strong spirit, your clear thinking, your love of family and your high intelligence. So much has changed during your 100 years, but you have stayed strong and focussed on the important things of life.”
Cecilie said” “I have had a wonderful life. I've had my setbacks, but have overcome them through trusting in the Lord, and my joys have definitely outlasted and outlived any difficulties. I brought up three wonderful children, and my two daughters and their husbands and children are here today. My son died a few years ago at the age of 69. It's been a joy having all my family and friends with me today to celebrate. I feel very blessed, and the Lord will live in my life until He feels it's time to call me home.”
Cecilie has lived at Caister Lodge for the past two years, and said she loves living there.
“My chief interest nowadays is doing crosswords, including the cryptic crosswords, and I love my DSTV, so I can watch what is happening throughout the world. I am absolutely content in my life,” she said.
