The Springs community is mourning the loss of a well-known local figure, Frieda Malherbe (75), who died on September 8.

The owner of Frieda’s Daycare Centre on Fourth Street in Springs CBD devoted 34 years of her life to caring for local children.

Affectionately called ‘Ouma Frieda’, she was remembered by her daughter, Audrey Lundie, as an open-hearted woman who loved laughing, animals and the children at her daycare.

“She was a very open-hearted person and loved to laugh,” said Lundie. “She loved animals and obviously she loved her school and her children.”

Frieda’s journey in childcare started before the official opening of the daycare. According to Lundie, her mother was a housewife who cared for children from home.

She officially opened Frieda’s Day Care on January 5, 1995, at number 73, and since then, the daycare has grown.

The centre cared for children from infancy to six years old, and many families continued using the daycare as their children grew up.

Lundie said her mother was proud to see her pupils grow, with some becoming parents themselves and bringing their children to the daycare.

“There was a very big variety of kids coming in and out of the daycare,” she said.

Frieda had a good relationship with the children due to her discipline and affection. Lundie said her mother was a strict woman who showed kindness immediately. She added that Frieda spoke loudly and the children loved it.

“One of the memories that I have is that kids were running to her whenever she came to the daycare,” she said.

For her, being called Ouma was an honour. Lundie shared that her mother was always proud to introduce her to parents by saying she was called Ouma by the children.

ALSO CHECK: Far East Hospital undergoes renovations in various departments

Early childhood education was also very important for Frieda, as she wanted to help parents keep their children off the streets and give them a good start for their future.

One memory Lundie shared was about a boy named Simon who started attending the daycare as a baby.

“The daycare had taken care of him since he was a baby until he graduated at six years,” said Lundie. “The family met with his grandmother only when he graduated.”

Lundie shared that the trust parents had in Frieda could be seen in the fact that many had been sending their children to the daycare for many years.

Besides taking care of children, Frieda was also known for helping homeless and underprivileged people.

“She was always giving food out and bread out to them. She was very kind-hearted, and she had a very big passion not to see people suffer,” said Lundie.

ALSO CHECK: Silent walk in Selcourt following the killing of women in Ekurhuleni

Frieda’s love for animals was also a characteristic feature. Lundie said children waiting for their parents at the daycare always watched television programmes about animals and Mr Bean, which Frieda loved.

Looking back at her mother’s contributions to Springs, Lundie noted that her love, affection and helpfulness made her stand out.

“My mom’s greatest contribution to the Springs community was the love and affectionate way that she did stuff. She was always there to give a helping hand and to support,” she said.

For the family, it is her smile, laughter, love, strictness and loud voice that will be missed the most.
Lundie said it meant a lot to her mother that the community supported her all these years.

“To the community members who knew and loved Ouma Frieda, thank you. Thank you for your support all these years, for your love all these years. She really loved you all,” she said.

She said her mother will be greatly missed, adding that everywhere she went, she made an impact on someone’s life.