He has survived the war, lived through the great Depression and his main means of transport was a horse and carriage.
Vingo Mitchell from Klein Helderkruin Retirement Village celebrated his 90th birthday with his son Graham Mitchell who flew in from America, and his daughter Jen Rogers.Vingo was form on a farm in Vrede in the Orange Free State and attended a farm school until standard 4 (gr 6). The family moved to Benoni where he attended junior high school and eventually matriculated at a trade school in Krugersdorp. He became a chief estimator for a pipe and boilermaking company known as Hall Longmore. “Some people might remember the steel man that was at Hall Longmore many years ago, that was my creation,” Vingo said.
After 21 years he moved on to become the manager of Rotaform Pipes and later became the managing director. He got married in 1950 to Eunice Thompson and the couple lived in Randfontein until they moved to Klein Helderkruin 23 years ago where he served on the board as chairman and board member of the Roodepoort Care of the Aged (RCA). His wife passed away five years ago.
According to Jen, her farther is still as fit as a fiddle and still drives his own car. “He is the best dad and I fondly remember how he used to swim with us in the sea as children. However, he was very strict but also kind.”
Graham also remembers the holidays in Pletterberg Bay and the times he spend with his father. “I will be spending some time with my dad before I have to fly out to America in June. It is an honour to be here and celebrate my father’s life with him,” Graham said.
Vingo’s long-time friend at Klein Helderkruin Jeanette Rebeiro said she has a lot of respect for him. “We all appreciated what he did for us while he served on the RCA board.
Vingo was treated to a cake specially made for him.
