Eeufees Oord Old Age Home resident celebrates century of faith, family, and fortitude
As she celebrates a century of life, Rachel Huckle reflects on family, faith, and the strength it took to raise seven children through some of South Africa’s most challenging decades.
Born January 9, 1926 in Richmond, Northern Cape, Rachel Barendina Christine Huckle has lived through a century of extraordinary change and met it with resilience, faith, and grace.
One of seven siblings, the family relocated to Kimberley in 1932, a time generally considered to have been our country’s depression years. It was here that her early life was shaped by close family bonds and strong community ties.
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“Our house was big enough for all of us,” she said, highlighting how it served as a home to her parents, siblings, and grandparents. As it was a time before apartheid, they knew everyone in the neighbourhood, in a way that made life feel more connected.
Her grandfather, who owned horses and travelled to markets by cart, played a defining role in her life. “I was his right hand in all matters.”
This Eeufees Oord Old Age Home resident’s passion for sewing began when she worked as a machinist in a clothing factory. A skill that would later help her raise seven children as a single mother after her husband died in a tragic train accident, an accident that would require her to be especially strong since her children were young. “The youngest was only three months old.”
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Her strength was grounded in faith, as she always put God first. A way of life she describes as having made her relationships last. This, along with prayer truly helped her, and continues to do so today.
She went on to work for many years as a branch secretary for the National Union of Distributive and Allied Workers (Nudaw), rising from shop steward to a leadership role and remaining active until her retirement at age 70. One of her proudest moments was meeting leaders such as Cyril Ramaphosa through her union work.
Reflecting on change, Huckle said women today have far more power. “In my time, women had to be barefoot and pregnant.”
Yet some values, she believes, have been lost. “Discipline and obedience were key in my time.”
As she looks back on 100 years of life, her gratitude remains unwavering. “God’s grace is sufficient for me. In my weakness, He is strong.”
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