Newcastle’s self proclaimed Mother Theresa, affectionately known as Aunty Barbie, is a stalwart in the community and she continues to inspire many Newcastillians with her kind heart.
In an exclusive interview with the Newcastle Sun, the bashful 86-year-old told stories of her life and events which has made her the strong woman she is today.
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Just starting out in life, she never imagined being widowed at the young age of 36 with seven children to raise. A single parent, she had to work hard to provide for her family.
She managed to find employment at a fish and chips outlet in town where she worked for 15 years.
When her sister’s husband passed away soon after her own husband, Aunty Barbie stepped up and took responsibility for her nieces and nephews and together she raised the 14 children. As her retirement age grew closer, the children decided to honour their mother with a well-deserved break.
Blessed with 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, she holds family near and dear.
However, being the free spirited and tenacious woman she is, Aunty Barbie intends on making her golden years the highlights of her life. With wisdom as old as the hills, she aims to bestow her knowledge and spread her kindness to every part of Newcastle.
She was instrumental in establishing the organisation named Nofta (Newcastle Organisation for the Aged) 26 years ago which continues to grow from strength to strength to this day.
At Nofta, Aunty Barbie is still a part of the executive committee and is also involved in directing skits (plays) for the organisation’s events.
In addition, she teaches the other senior citizens traditional songs which form part of a satsang group at the centre.
“I also like to teach handwork,” she added. She has also played an integral, active role in assisting institutions such as Nil Desparandum, Newcastle Child Welfare, Newcare Women’s Circle and temples in Fernwood and Suryaville.
“I used to visit families and council them as part of my service to the community and to help them cope with social ills,” she recalled.
Visiting the frail and encouraging senior citizens is part of Aunty Barbie’s intrinsic nature to selflessly care for others. Among her list of talents and achievements, she is also gifted with languages and can communicate in four different languages.
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“Aside from English, I can speak fluent Afrikaans, Isizulu and Hindi. I teach Hindi classes too.”
Strong in her faith, she enjoys attending religious events and is known to often offer her moral support at funerals and other functions.
“Reading religious books is what I like to do in my spare time,” she smiles.
She encourages the youth to occupy themselves with activities which enrich their minds and develop them as responsible people of society.
“Keep busy – it doesn’t matter how small your contribution is in any activity, just keep busy. “Throw out the laziness and get active in the community. Do good and be good,” she advised.
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