Family celebrates precious gem’s 101st birthday

We may mature physically and mentally as we celebrate our birthday’s every year, but the smile doesn’t age, not even after 101 years.

Anna Disebo Maphango and her family celebrated her 101st birthday on 28 November. Her loved ones describe her as a funny, strong-willed, loving and God-fearing woman.

Anna was born on a farm in the Free State on 28 November 1919. Her mother home-schooled her and her eight siblings. While she is the eldest, seven of her siblings have passed on. Her younger brother, Mokhasi Ntaba, is 96 years old. Anna says people in her family live for long.

Her mother passed away at the age of 90 and her father lived until he was 102 years old.

Anna grew up on the farm and later worked for the family as a domestic worker. As time passed, the family moved to Potchefstroom and she moved with them.

In 1939, she married Petrus Mbizo Maphango. They were wed for 51 years before he passed away in 1990.

Anna and Petrus travelled to several places, including Kimberley, where her marital home was. Over the years, she came back to Potchefstroom.

According to Elizabeth Nozizwe Maphango, her second born, Anna is a sweet woman with a big heart. She always loves caring for people.

After working as a domestic worker, Anna worked at the Potchefstroom Remand Detention Facility, where she did the duties of a prison warden. She then became a caretaker at a school previously known as Norman Combined School and worked at the Potchefstroom Hospital for at least 12 years. She started as a cook at the hospital and was eventually moved to the paediatric ward as a caretaker.

According to Betty Moetsi, her grandmother retired in the 80s and decided to focus on taking care of her family.

The family says having shared their grandmother’s 101st birthday with her was such a blessing and they believe she will continue to live for many years.

Anna explained that respect, taking care of people and humility towards all humans, young or elderly, are some of the secrets to longevity. These are also some of the values that she has passed on to her children and their children.

Anna has three children, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Her daughter and grandchildren say some of the things they have learnt from her are to be humble and have a heart for others, even if you aren’t related to them. She has taught them to trust in God’s timing and not be in a rush. She also raised them to focus on and cherish what they have. She believed that if you were gifted with a certain blessing, it would come your way.

The Maphango family encourages the younger generation to love, take care of and involve their parents and grandparents in their daily lives and cherish and appreciate them at all times.