Former Miss Witbank celebrates 90th birthday

A former beauty queen from eMalahleni celebrated her 90th birthday with her family and friends.
Doreen Louisa Esquino (née Viljoen), was born in Kakamas in the Cape on April 23, 1927.
She served in the Second World War as a staff sergeant in an entertainment unit.

On completion of three years’ service and having moved to the then Witbank and joined the staff at Dudley’s. During her employment at Dudley’s she was entered into the Miss Witbank competition.

Doreen Viljoen when she was crowned Miss Witbank in 1947.

On Friday, May 16, 1947 Doreen was chosen from 20 other entrant finalists and crowned as Miss Witbank 1947.
She later studied nursing and worked in Witbank Provincial Hospital for several years. This lead to her later working in several different pharmacies.

Doreen later started her first business, Star Upholsterers which serviced all the mines, industry and private sector’s furnishing needs.

She eventually retired to the South Coast, but was convinced to move back to eMalahleni to be with her children.
Doreen has been fortunate to have travelled the world visiting family and taking on religious excursions to Israel as well as South America.

Doreen Louisa Esquino (née Viljoen) celebrated her 90th birthday with friends, family, grandchildren and great grandchildren on Sunday, April 23.

She currently resides in a small house built for her by her son-in-law Fred, in the tranquil surroundings of a tea-garden, owned by her daughter Denise and husband, in Benoni.

Still very capable of doing all her own house chores, she is kept busy with sewing and knitting and still faithfully reading the WITBANK NEWS which is purchased by her son Mark and daughter in law Shirallee on a weekly basis and stocked up until they get to visit her.

Her birthday was celebrated in Pretoria on Sunday, April 23 at a momentous celebratory gathering arranged for her.
This was fondly attended by her friends, family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Another eMalahleni Legend…