Desmond January, 82 is a proud senior man who has chosen to embrace his age. January was born in Molepolole, a small city in Botswana. The people who reside in the city are known as the Bakwen which is one of eight major tribes in the country.
According to January, his life has not been an easy one. He grew up not knowing his parents and relocated to South Africa at the age of 15 in search of a better life for himself.
In the late 1950’s, he found himself in Johannesburg and worked all over the city. “I started out as a houseboy, I remember working on a train where I had to make up beds and serve passengers,” said January.
At just 17 years old, he searched for and eventually found his biological mother. He lived with her in Mafikeng for a few years but decided to move back to Johannesburg to find work. January met his beautiful wife and married her in 1965.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw her, she was doing gardening. She was beautiful, the garden she was working in was beautiful too. I knew I wanted to marry her because I also loved gardening,” said January.
His wife Sophie was diagnosed with diabetes and died away four years ago. Colin January has since vowed to live a full life in honour of his wife. He works in his garden every day, making sure that it is well taken care of. His garden is green all year round and he believes that gardening heals his mind and is therapeutic.
“Too many people, when they get old, think that they have to live by the calendar. This is a quote that makes me think of my father” said Colin January, Desmond’s son.
He added, “My father is such a strong man. He has this passion for life that is inexplicable. He manages to take care of himself so effortlessly. Many people I know look up to him. Even though his life hasn’t been easy, he managed to turn everything that was bad and difficult into something beautiful.”
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