A 99-year-old former farmer from Middelburg in Mpumalanga is back on his feet and preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday following life-saving emergency surgery, reports Middelburg Observer.

When Hendrik ‘Hennie’ Janse van Rensburg woke up with severe stomach pain in June, his family feared he might never reach his upcoming milestone.

Just weeks later, however, the well-known former Middelburg resident is back on his feet, grateful for a second chance at life and looking forward to celebrating with family and friends on August 6.

Known to many simply as ‘Oupa Hennie’, he lives with his son, Erik, and daughter-in-law, Diana, on a farm in Kanondrift near Roossenekal. Remarkably, even at 99, he was living independently, doing his own shopping and preparing his own meals.

Stubborn patient avoids hospital stay

“Like any stubborn farmer, he simply didn’t want to go to hospital,” Erik said with a smile.

Everything changed on June 3. The family initially thought he was simply unwell, but on their way to Middelburg, it became clear that something was seriously wrong. By the time he reached the doctor, he was vomiting and severely dehydrated.

Despite several days of treatment, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to Life Midmed Hospital’s intensive care unit on June 7.

The following day, Dr Zelda Henning informed the family that Janse van Rensburg had a life-threatening bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery.

Operating on a 99-year-old patient carried significant risks, and a specialist anaesthetist from Johannesburg was brought in to assist. About 40 minutes after the surgery began the next day, the family received the news they had been praying for: The operation was a success.

Patient makes miracle recovery

After only two days in high care and five more days recovering in the ward, Janse van Rensburg was discharged. Just two weeks later, he was back on his feet – a recovery his family describes as ‘nothing short of a miracle’.

“This was more than a successful operation; our Oupa Hennie was given more time,” the family said in a joint statement. We were deeply touched by Henning’s genuine care for him,” Erik added. “Her compassion meant more to us than words can express.”

The family also thanked the nursing staff of Ward 6, as well as Rev Gerhard Wessels, Daleen Swart and her daughters, Magriet Botha, and the many others whose encouragement helped keep Oupa Hennie fighting.

“The deep empathy and care we’ve been given is unheard of,” the family noted.

On his birthday, four generations of the Janse van Rensburg family will come together to celebrate the historic milestone.

“One hundred years of Oupa Hennie,” Diana said with a smile. “And what an incredible century it has been.”

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.