Wally celebrates in 101 years

Walter Reginald Bowers celebrated his 101st birthday this month.

One of the oldest men in our community has seen and experienced more than most will, in his lifetime, and he recently fought off Covid-19 and got vaccinated.

Born July 9 1940, Wally, as he is better known, was born and raised in Cape Town alongside his two sisters and brother. Though Wally is currently at his most fragile given his age, his spirit is far from it. His daughter, Jenny Cottrell, shared some background on the man she calls dad.

She said her parents were married for 70 great years until her mother, Lily, passed away only three years ago. She shared her parents with her brother, Derrick.

Cottrell recalled how growing up, on weekends, her father would delight her and Derrick with a trip to Hillbrow where they would enjoy a double-thick malt at Milky Lane. “He loved his cowboy movies, so he would take us to the drive-in once a week,” shared Cottrell. An experience his children must have enjoyed sharing with him as he included them in something he enjoyed so much. He also enjoyed one or two glasses of whiskey on most nights. He ate healthily and very slowly, “He would always be the last to finish,” shared Cottrell.

What makes him really smile though is being with family and friends, as Cottrell shared. “He also loved to party.”

She added that though she had a strict upbringing, it is something she appreciates today. “He was firm, yet soft-hearted. I learnt that yes was yes and no was no. He taught me to appreciate the little things in life and nothing comes on a plate.”

Currently living at Montgomery Haven, when he was a child, Wally survived tuberculosis and as a senior citizen he used the same fighting spirit against Covid-19. He got the virus in June and spent three weeks in hospital because of it.

With no visitors allowed and with him being very ill, there was little communication. “He had several blood transfusions and was on oxygen. We never for one minute thought that he would survive.”

Wally’s birthday took place while in hospital. He has since had both rounds of the vaccine.

Wally is blessed with the love that he receives from his three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.