When you are celebrating a 100th birthday, you deserve as much partying as you can handle!

Just ask Mrs Sumintra Ramsunder Mocktar, who was born on January 13 and celebrated this milestone at another party, which was hosted by her family.

Family and friends gathered on a chilly Sunday afternoon at the Forderville Primary School Hall to celebrate Mrs Mocktar’s life and revere her personality and influence on them.

Adorned in gold and white, with a touch of pink, the hall looked splendid and was fit for a queen as the centenarian made her grand entrance just after 1pm.

Applause sounded as she was welcomed and took her seat on the stage. The formalities got underway with speeches that brought laughter and tears.

Estcourt Senior Citizens Chairperson Ted Naidu spoke fondly on Mrs Mocktar being the ‘great old lady’ of the club and her positive influence on the members.

He spoke of Mrs Mocktar’s effervescent personality on trips, which clearly belied her age.

This was echoed by grandchildren who reminisced about days gone by on a farm in Winterton, Mrs Mocktar’s stellar culinary skills and her ability to bounce back from hardship, even after being shot in the neck during an attack nearly 20 years ago.

Mrs Mocktar was thanked for being an inspiration and a pillar of strength in the family. She was showered with gifts and guests were treated to a sumptuous lunch before the party concluded.