Barberton woman celebrates 102 years of life
Barberton local Margaret Sebastian recently celebrated 102 years of life.
At the grand age of 102, with 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way, centenarian Margaret Sebastian is an industrious and dynamic force to be reckoned with. She celebrated her 102nd birthday on May 11.
An experienced user of both Facebook and Zoom, Sebastian’s quick wit and love for her family and friends have kept her in touch with her loved ones across the globe, including her nine-year-old great-grandchild, Milana, who lives in London. Through lengthy chats over Zoom, Sebastian has shared her life’s story with Milana, who in turn has written about her great-grandmother’s adventures and misfortunes.
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From Sebastian’s grandparent’s departure out of the British Raj in India, to escaping the hardships of indentured labour in KwaZulu-Natal, only to face internment in a British camp in Lydenburg where she was born, her story is an interesting one.
Sebastian was born on May 11, 1920. However, her earliest recollection, according to what Sebastian told her granddaughter, is living in a Malay camp, sleeping on a stretcher bed in a very large tent. Sebastian was the eldest of five children, followed by her sister Minnie, her brother Richard, another sister, Violet, and the youngest brother, Sunny.
Back: Doris Charles (daughter), Prince Sebastian (son), Enver Moothoosamy (nephew), Kumar Naidu (grandson in law), Jacque Naidu (granddaughter).
After living in the camp for a while, the family moved from Lydenburg to Sabie, where they lived in a house built on stilts. It was at this home that Sebastian and her siblings were able to sleep in proper wooden beds for the first time in their lives.
Sebastian described her childhood as sweet and carefree. She moved to Barberton in 1941 when she married her husband, Robert. Robert became acquainted with Margaret during a soccer match at the Barberton football grounds where he was a goalkeeper.
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She described this as being the best moment of her life. They married at the Barberton Anglican Church 81 years ago on August 27, 1941. The pair had 10 children together, however, only five of her children are still alive. Robert died in 1981 after 40 years of marriage.
Margaret has travelled to the UK, Zambia, the Netherlands and the USA during her lifetime, and even had a haircut at a New York hair salon, cutting her signature long hair, which was always worn as a long plait down her back, to a short and stylish do.
She also worked in the laundry business, assisting her parents, and did catering for Henry Netman when he was mayor of Barberton, making 100 samoosas a week every Friday.
The centenarian loves knitting and crocheting, and on her 101st birthday, she crocheted 101 white crosses for members of the Anglican Church as bookmarks for their Bibles.
When someone asked her at that time how old she was, she commented, “Sweet 16.” Her family has said she has the most incredible sense of humour. A funny anecdote remembered by her family is when her doctor of many years told her he wished he had her genes, to which she retorted that her jeans would not fit him.
Margaret’s secret to a long and happy life is to listen to your body, carry on the good work and, most importantly, to have faith in God.
When considering her daily routine, Margaret’s other daughter, Audrey, said her mother still gets up by herself each morning, rising between 10:30 to 11:00, and she does her own grooming. Her day ends around 21:00 when she gets into bed.
Her morning routine includes eating a plate of oats with some Future Life, and if she needs extra energy, she makes a glass of Ensure. Her drink of choice is rooibos tea, and one will never catch her eating without saying a prayer first.
After a good breakfast, her family said she spends time sitting on her favourite couch, watching TV. She spends time each day catching up with friends and family on Facebook as well. She will then usually have an afternoon nap before having some tea and a sandwich, and then spends time in praise and worship.
Margaret is in contact with her faraway family everyday through FaceTime. She finishes her day with a Bible reading and worship. Margaret shared with Lowvelder that her favourite age to be was 50, and that she finds the television to the best invention during her lifetime.
Her favourite treat is dark Lindt chocolate and her beauty secret is using Ponds vanishing cream in the morning and Ponds cold cream at night. Margaret’s favourite fragrance, that she has been using for the last 50 years, is Joy, and her advice to the younger generations is the following: “Look after yourself and have faith in God.”
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