WATCH: Memorable celebration of Zululander’s milestone birthday

It is not every day that a beloved colleague celebrates her 60th birthday, but with Freda Geldenhuys, the occasion was so much more special.

Freda is a well-known face at the Zululand Observer, having been our receptionist for close to 25 years. Her distinctive voice and friendly demeanour made a lasting impression on guests and clients visiting the Zululand Observer – but most of all, they were inspired by her tenacity.

A debilitating accident in her early 20s left Freda paralysed and wheelchair-bound, but that did not deter her from always being cheerful. Unfortunately, in recent years, her health deteriorated to such an extent that she became bedridden and unable to continue manning the Zululand Observer switchboard.

However, to us, she remains a dear colleague and an important part of our team.

When Freda turned 60 on 6 June, it was a joyous occasion for everyone who knows her. Zululand Observer staff and friends visited her at her Empangeni home to pay homage to our dear Freda. On Friday, 21 June the festivities stepped up a notch when friends and colleagues held Freda a special picnic at Alkantstrand in Richards Bay.

Mounties Ambulance & Emergency Services, years-long close friends of Freda, went out of their way to fetch Freda from her Empangeni home via ambulance and bring her to the lifeguard building where a group of smiling faces and a festive spread awaited her.

It had been 20 years since Freda last saw the ocean. She was elated.

After enjoying delicious snacks and hearty chatter, the Kruger family from Mounties – Joe, Corli, Joseph, Joe-Cee and Korné Kruger – took Freda for a stroll to the Dolphin platform in her trolley stretcher.

An exhilarated Freda enjoyed the outing and was thrilled even further when the port helicopter flew closely over them and she later got a chance to meet and greet the pilots.

Afterwards, Freda shared these words of appreciation: “I want to thank everyone who arranged the picnic and made the day so special. Thank you to everyone who spent the day with me. It was an incredibly wonderful day.

“To Joe and his family from Mounties, thank you so much for going the extra mile and taking such good care of me.

“The fellowship with friends truly fed my soul.

“All honour to God who made it possible for me to share a lovely day at the beach with wonderful people.”

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