Surprise celebration for 98-year-old east resident

A beloved SAVF Huis Silversig Old Age Home resident joyfully celebrated her 98th birthday earlier this month.

Her special day was marked in style, as she was showered with love, thoughtful gifts, and heartfelt messages from her family, friends, and church community.

Affectionately known as “Tannie Tokkie”, she was born on May 4, 1927, and has taken to heart the gesture of her community and loved ones in honouring her remarkable journey, which is her testament to a life well-lived.

Tokkie Wannenburg was raised in Bultfontein, a farming town in the Free State.

She originally attended the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk) but later joined the New Apostolic Church, where she is now a member of the Silverton congregation.

Wannenburg completed her highest grade of high school and went on to pursue a career in nursing.

She met her late husband in Bultfontein, where they eventually married.

Now a widow, she is the mother of six children, three of whom have sadly passed away. She is a proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren and great-grandmother to eight.

Her nursing career took her to Bloemfontein, where she worked at a hospital before relocating to Pretoria in 1967.

Known for her compassion and dedication, she spent many years caring for others with love and warmth.

Reflecting on her life, Wannenburg shared cherished memories of nearly a century. Grateful to have reached such a milestone, she expressed heartfelt thanks for the chance to celebrate:

“It is only the Lord’s grace that I may still be spared.”

She was deeply moved to be surrounded by her loved ones, friends at the old age home and members of her church on her birthday.

“I didn’t know that people were going to come and celebrate this special day with me. It really warmed my heart and made me feel very special,” she said.

Wannenburg revealed that she had been told there wouldn’t be a party due to a lack of funds, but to her surprise and delight, a beautiful celebration had secretly been planned just for her.

She expressed her gratitude to God for reaching this milestone and shared some life lessons.

“People should keep faith, do good and ultimately they will be good in the eyes of God. People should hold on to their faith and spread love always.”

She thanked the priest and her loved ones for being there for her.

“Throughout these years, my priests have healed my soul and supported me in the journey of serving God, I am grateful to them. My priests have also helped to transport me every Sunday from the old age home to church and back for the past few years.”

She encouraged everyone to remain positive and serve the Lord.

Ilona Fortuin, a dedicated volunteer at the old age home and close friend to Wannenburg, described her as a very intelligent and caring person.

“One day I wish to be like her, have the same wisdom as her,” she explained.

Fortuin expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support received.

She said Wannenburg was overjoyed and deeply grateful for the birthday celebration and all the thoughtful gifts she received.

However, Fortuin mentioned that Wannenburg requires a wheelchair with two footrests, as the one she currently uses is old and has only one, making it difficult for her to balance her legs, which often causes her discomfort.

“The wheelchair she’s using was donated to her as a birthday gift a few years ago, and it has served her well,” Fortuin explained.

“But now it only has one footrest, and we’re kindly appealing for a secondhand wheelchair to better support Tannie Tokkie.”

Anyone who wishes to help or donate a wheelchair can contact Fortuin on 065 604 8686.

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