Meet Sandton’s time capsule
SANDTON – Aileen Owen (100) is a living, walking textbook, who has noted some significant developments in Sandton over the past several decades.
A Sandton resident, Aileen Owen is no ordinary woman, she is a living history book.
The 100-year-old allowed a Sandton Chronicle journalist the gift of seeing Sandton through her eyes and believes that the area has developed significantly since she first walked its streets in the late 40s.
Through her eyes, the most notable changes can be seen on our roads. “I lived in Parkhurst right next to Sandton and it has changed completely since then. Sandton is now motorised but all those years ago I used the bus. I’ve never learnt to drive for this reason.
“The first time that I got on the Gautrain that left from Sandton, I was so excited. What an amazing experience that was.” She believes that Sandton has improved tremendously as it is easier to get around with the progress in transport and lauded the fact that electricity is now available to the masses in the area.
“In terms of these Sandton sky-rises, I think that they are quite terrifying!”
She further explained that, with time, she has noticed that women wear more comfortable, practical clothing and expressed joy when she recalled how many trees have been planted around Sandton over the years.
Owen experienced Sandton at the birth of the difficult and oppressive past that has tainted our South African textbooks and expressed joy at the changes. “I am so happy that communities are now integrated into our Sandton rainbow nation. We embrace so many different cultures and people and celebrate our diversity.”
Owen has also observed some negative aspects of the development in Sandton and said, “The world moves so fast that we do not have time to meet our own neighbours and spend time in our communities. In my day, there was time to mingle with our neighbours.”
She said that she loves seeing communities come together in open spaces and is relieved that there are still such spaces with all of the development in Sandton. “I often see people gather on George Lea Park south on a Sunday. They come with family and friends and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. The Delta Park has been a beautiful setting for ceremonies, picnics and family fun as well.”
Owen’s fondest memory was witnessing the opening of the Military Hospital in Soweto, now known as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Owen worked as a nurse when she lived in Parkhurst and enjoyed helping others.
She concluded, “Sandton is flourishing, like me!”
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