Benevolent bevy give meaning to 90th celebration
Engelbrecht was born on a farm, Keukendraai, under a Witgatboom, Shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca), in the Free State on 20 July 1931.
What do you do when an ice cream treat multiplies – like almost 90 times over?
Lap it all up, of course. That’s exactly what Port Edward resident, Jan Engelbrecht, did in celebrating his recent 90th birthday.
Many of Engelbrecht’s old friends and family could not join him for his landmark birthday. So, in the spirit of Mandela Week, a number of locals went the extra mile to organise a surprise celebration.
As Covid-19 level 4 regulations prohibited gatherings, creativity was called for.
“We knew that at around 11am last Sunday, the eve of his 90th birthday, Jan would be taken to Ice Cream Oasis at Port Edward beachfront for his favourite treat, a French vanilla ice cream,” said Alida Stofberg.
“So we made a giant birthday card, and invited people to swing passed and sign the card,” said Alida.
The idea was to get 90 well-wishers to sign the card. While several doubting toms were dubious that Port Edwardians had it in them to make it all happen, Stofberg, assisted by a bevy of benevolent folk, proved them wrong.
Last Sunday, Streams of well-wishers visited Oasis Ice Cream shop to wish the still sprightly 90-year-old many happy returns.
“We did not quite get 90 signatures, but came darn close – about 80 or so. Coupled with birthday messages posted on our 90th surprise birthday WhatsApp group, Jan had more than a hundred well-wishers, and he’s still celebrating,” said Alida.
Engelbrecht was born on a farm, Keukendraai, under a Witgatboom, Shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca), in the Free State on 20 July 1931.
He grew up in a zinc home next to the Orange River, where, like other farmers’ sons, he left school in Standard 6 to work on the farm.
“His nickname was Vleiskar (meat car) a nickname derived from the fact that every second day he headed out to buy meat at the butchery for a sixpence,” said Geyser Englebrecht, Jan’s youngest son, now 50.
Englebrecht snr later joined the police force, reaching the rank of Captain. He played for the rugby for the Griquas. He was also a keen tennis player, still plays pool and snooker, and loves fishing. He has lived in Port Edward since he retired as a policeman thirty years ago.
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