There’s longevity in greens, says Abie
Eat your greens and live a long life, that's the advice from Berea's latest centenarian, Abie Baitz.
ABIE Baitz celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday 11 July.
The resident of Beth Shalom Senior’s Home in Vause Road, Durban, said he attributes his old age to the fact he has always eaten all his greens.
Despite the auspicious occasion and the centenary milestone, Abie said he had no idea what all the fuss was about. He celebrated his birthday at the old age home and had a special celebration with his family.
Abie was born in Riversdale in the Cape and moved to Johannesburg with his family. He had 10 siblings. His mother died when he was 15 years old and he left school and went to work in Newcastle as a shop assistant.
He later moved back to Johannesburg and started selling furniture. It wasn’t long before he was opening stores and eventually settled in Durban.
In 1938 he married Rachel Sachs, to whom he was married for more than 50 years. She died in 1992.
In his lifetime, Abie says he has seen it all. He’s lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, economic downturns and witnessed South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy. Although his eyesight is failing, Abie still keeps in touch with family overseas over skype.
He has three children, nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, 11 of whom were in Durban for his birthday.
