It was a special day for youthful Wilmiena Johanna Koeries who celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at a grand gathering in Observatory on Saturday.
Koeries, also affectionately known as Ouma Miena, was born on July 31, 1925, and is originally from Garden Village in Maitland.
At 100 years old, Koeries is still in good health, well spoken and with the memory of an elephant.
She said making it to a century comes as a surprise to her.
“I am amazed at myself for being 100 years old. I cannot believe that I reached that age. I think it is because I don’t live a stressful life. I don’t smoke or drink.”
Koeries had six children, two of whom have passed away.
She also enjoys her 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She recalls being a machinist in her younger days in a factory where she later became a supervisor.
Her fondest memory of life was how she met her husband and recalls when she fell in love with Mr Koeries who was introduced to her by a nurse.
"We had a nurse in the surgery who was an Indian woman and one morning while I was busy with my work she came running out of the surgery.
"She said I must leave everything I am busy with for a moment and come to the surgery with her and see who is behind the screen, it is someone who would like to see me she said.
"When I went behind the screen, there was Mr Koeries standing and asked if he could be a friend of mine.
"One night, we were visiting a friend and my whole intention was to tell him off and tell him that he is wasting his time with me.
"But then I fell in love with him and that is just how the Lord works, and I told him afterwards that I love him.
"We got married about two years later and that is something I will never forget because he was a good husband to me.”
Son, Trevor Koeries, who flew in from London, said it is a blessing and a milestone to see his mom reach 100 years old.
Trevor celebrated his mom, saying: “It is only the grace of God that has carried her. A few weeks ago she was not well at all but through it all God carried her through because we did not know if we were going to make it to this day.
"But God’s purpose was fulfilled with her life and God made her to see 100 years and we are so happy about that.
"She is a woman of valour. She is such an amazing woman, a God-fearing woman.
"She taught me to love people with all your heart and not to hold grudges or tell lies.”
Cape Argus