A century’s worth of birthdays for Springs resident
“I don't know how I've lived so long,” says Raborife.
Rebecca Raborife turned 100 on Tuesday.
The Ninth street resident is surprised she has lived this long and says she doesn’t know how she has kept going.
Raborife was born in 1918 in Leslie, Mpumalanga, into a family of eight children, of whom only her brother is still alive.
Also read: Esda resident celebrates a century
Longevity runs in the Raborife family as her father died at 114 years of age in 1999.
Helping Raborife celebrate her momentous occasion were Cyril Ferrar and Doug Kydd whose families she worked for for 44 years.
“Rebecca has always been part of the family.
“She could always cook and nothing was too much for her if you asked, and she did it so pleasantly,” says Ferrar.
For Doug Kydd, he has fond memories of Rebecca helping him during his youth.
“I once came home having imbibed too much and she saved me from a hiding.
“She also vetted my girlfriends and when I brought my now wife home for a holiday, she pulled me aside and told me she was the one for me,” says Kydd.
Raborife who has two children, of whom the youngest is 74 years old, was thrilled to be spoiled on her special day.
“I’m so happy.
“Thank you for all of this this,” says Raborife.
The centenarian says she doesn’t want to live to be 114 like her father, even though she is in perfect health.
“My father always used to say God made it a big secret by not telling a person when he’s coming to fetch them.
“When I say goodnight, I always say, maybe you won’t see me tomorrow.”
For now, Raborife intends to enjoy each day as it comes.
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