West’s Ouma Kleintjie 100 years old
She told Rekord she didn’t feel so old. “My spirit still feels young”
A resident from the west of Pretoria celebrated a century on earth last week.
Maria de Swardt, better known as Ouma Kleintjie in the community, was born on 12 March 1920 in Twyfelspoort.
On the day of her birthday De Swardt was surprised when the CPF and a local ambulance service came to surprise her at home.
“She was very surprised and really enjoyed it,” said her daughter, Elsa Viljoen.
“They turned on the sirens as they drove down the street.”
Viljoen said they only did something to celebrate the milestone on Sunday when her entire family could be there.
De Swardt has been living with her daughter in a garden apartment in Booysens for the past 31 years.
“My mother still lives on her own despite the fact that she has difficulty walking and can no longer hear well,” said Viljoen.
“Her mind is still very good and she still does most of her work herself.”
Viljoen said her mother married John de Swardt in 1939 at the age of 19.
“My mother says it was a love at first sight,” she said.
“My mom worked at the mine’s hotel and my dad was there at the mine school when they met.”
She said her father died 34 years ago.
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De Swardt has four children, one of whom has passed on.
“She has 46 descendants, a total of five generations,” said Viljoen.
She added her mother was an example to others.
“My mother always wants to help others and although she sometimes gets angry, she remains a gentle and loving person.”
De Swardt told Rekord she didn’t feel so old. “My spirit still feels young,” she said.
Viljoen said the family was blessed to still have Ouma Kleintjie with them.
“She is the first one in our family’s history to reach 100 years,” she said.
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