North gran enjoy her 102nd birthday
”Being happy does not describe how I felt on that day. I never dreamt about such a party. It was nice.”
One of Soshanguve’s oldest residents celebrated her 102nd birthday on Saturday.
Dorah Mathabatha was born on 19 July 1919 in Limpopo and moved to Mathibestad in Hammanskraal before moving to Soshanguve.
Mathabatha gave birth to eight children and has seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Despite her advanced age, Mathabatha can still read her Bible and has a phone that she can operate without using glasses.
Speaking to Record, Mathabatha said she only started visiting a clinic when she moved to Soshanguve in the early 90s.
“I only visited a clinic when I started staying here. I had flu and been coughing for three months. I believe that God wanted me to know what a clinic looked like, that’s why I ended up there.
“I only went to school until standard 3 [grade 5]. In the olden days, education was there but not easily accessible. When you studied until standard 5, you could be a teacher.”
She said she does not have any illnesses, but suffers from old age. Mathabatha said she keeps herself busy by reading her Bible and walking around her home.
“I never get bored, even when I was young, I never used to go out. When I get bored I just take my Bible and read, that keeps me entertained.”
Mathabatha joked saying at a young age she had never seen a R10 or known anyone who had it.
“Who would give you that much? I never even held a R10 note. We never even knew about it. We never even knew that you could save money. Even if you wanted to save it, where would you be getting it from? Some people had money but I was not one of them.”
She thanked her grandchild for the birthday party that she held for her.
“Being happy does not describe how I felt on that day. I never dreamt about such a party. It was nice. I will never forget what she did for me. I just want to thank her and I wish God can bless her with many more years.”
She believes she is still alive because God has shown mercy to her, not that she is clever or any special abilities.
Meriam Molongoana, Mathabatha’s niece (her brother’s daughter), said Mathabatha’s wish on her 100th birthday was to have a birthday party.
“My budget at the time did not allow it, so this year it was my goal. She was so overwhelmed and did not have much to say. She has been a long time wishing for such a day. Even when she calls me, she still says I made her day.”
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