“Honour your parents, respect the elderly and most of all God.”
This is the motto of Reiger Park’s Julia Andrews, fondly known as Oma Benny, who celebrated her special 91st birthday with her family on March 20.
This makes her one of the oldest residents in Reiger Park.
Julia was born a Muslim and given the name Julega but later converted to Christianity and changed her name to Julia.
At the ripe old age of 91, Julia is blessed to see a fourth generation – 12 children (six deceased), 44 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great grandchildren.
She was married but her husband is deceased.
Julia attended school in Benoni but her family were forcefully relocated to Reiger Park by the government in 1948.
Her working life was spent at Haggie Rand, where she worked her way up from cleaner to supervisor and only retired at the age of 85.
“During my working years, the country was safe. We could travel to work and town by train and taxi or walk without the fear of being raped, robbed and killed.”
She enjoys attending church services at the Old Apostolic Church and was an active member of the women’s association and choir but retired due to Covid-19 when she was asked not to attend services anymore.
Religion remains important to Julia and she has since listened to church services on the radio.
Her family describe her as a neat, strict, no-nonsense lady – her yes is yes and her no is no.
Apart from her legs being a little painful, Julia said she is as healthy as a horse.
Her advice to other people for a long, happy life is: “Take good care of yourself and don’t see fault in others.
“I’m just grateful for this opportunity that the Lord gave me and that He had His hand over me my entire life,” she said.
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