Meet Kempton Park’s leapling; Gugu Ngwenya
"I'm a leap year baby – of course I'm my mother’s first born out of three daughters and the youngest out of all three."
Gugu Ngwenya from Birchleigh North is a proud leapling.
This means her birthday falls on February 29 and technically, although she was born in 1980, she’s only 11 years old.
“I enjoy everything about being a leap year baby. I am one of the few born on this special day. On most occasions I meet people who would say it’s their first encounter meeting someone born on a leap day,” said Gugu.
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Gugu is adamant that she would never choose another day to celebrate her birthday on.
“Choosing another day will take away the uniqueness I represent.”
Growing up, Gugu only celebrated her birthday on a leap year.
“I was taught not to celebrate on any other year other than a leap year.”
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However, every fourth year, when Gugu was able to celebrate her birthday, her mom went all out.
“When leap year came, my mom made it a point that I had a huge birthday party. There would be decorations, food, guests and cake. Everything was always four times bigger.
“I still have clear memories of six of my birthday parties where my mom went all out,” she said.
Gugu’s mom is now retired but she knows her mom is sending her four times the well wishes and blessings.
“I want to thank my mom for loving me and helping me understand that I’m a special being and teaching me to treat myself in a special way,” said Gugu.
“My best moments now are having to explain to my 11-year-old son that he is actually older than me. He celebrated his birthday in January.
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“He gets excited when I try to explain leap year to him.”
Gugu is not alone and shares a birthday with her friend Siphumule Ntombela.
“I would wish my twin leapling a blessed happy birthday.
“Siphumule is turning 12 years old in leapling terms and we’ve been friends for over 10 years.”
As a special leapling wish for her birthday, Gugu hopes to be able to save enough money to buy building materials for her home.
“I finally bought a stand and home in Mpumalanga and I plan to build a two-bedroom house I can call my own.
“This would be the greatest achievement for me in the next four years until my next birthday,” said Gugu.Gugu’s of course challenge:
• I’m a leap year baby – of course I’m my mother’s first born out of three daughters and the youngest out of all three.
• I’m a leap year baby – of course both my children are older than me.
• I’m a leap year baby – of course every year I have to explain why I’m not celebrating my birthday.
• I’m a leap year baby – of course I age gracefully and will always be young at heart.
• I’m a leap year baby – of course every leap year I wish to have a birthday party.
• I’m a leap year baby – of course I’m a lovely person to be around.
