Age has not dimmed 72-year-old Hester Themistocles’ love for books. The resident of Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Dunnottar has made her community proud by winning a national reading competition held in Cape Town.

Affectionately known as Tannie Hester, Themistocles walked away with a medal, a book, a tablet, and R1 200 in prize money after progressing through the regional and provincial rounds to reach the national competition.

Beaming with pride as she showed off her prizes, Themistocles recalled her memorable trip to Cape Town, where she spent a week in a beautiful hotel and enjoyed what she fondly described as a full English breakfast.

On their return, the winners enjoyed another day in Sandton, where sponsors celebrated their achievements. For Themistocles, reading is more than a hobby. It is a lifelong passion that began in Standard One (Grade Three).

She fondly remembers her life with her late husband, Nicholas Themistocles, with whom she raised three children and ran a dry-cleaning business.

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Even during their busy working days, she always made time for a book, whether during lunch breaks or while relaxing on holiday.

“Whatever I am doing, my late husband is looking over me because he is always in my heart. I loved him dearly, I still do, and I will always love him,” she said.

Smiling, she recalled how they met through their sisters, describing their relationship as an arranged love that blossomed into a lasting marriage.

Following her husband’s passing, Themistocles moved to the centre six years ago, where her passion for reading found a new purpose.

Her journey to becoming a national reading champion began when she met Selina Nkomonde, a Social Auxiliary Worker at the centre who coordinates its reading programme.

Recognising Themistocles’ love for books, Nkomonde encouraged her to enter a reading competition sponsored by Ekurhuleni Library.

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“She kept winning at every stage until she qualified for the national competition in Cape Town. She has made us extremely proud,” said Nkomonde.

Her achievement has also inspired fellow residents to rediscover their love for reading. One of them is Erika Gilfillan, who says spending time with Themistocles has motivated her to start reading again.

Gilfillan, who previously had vision difficulties, looks forward to receiving her reading glasses so she can enjoy books again.

Not content with her national achievement, Themistocles now dreams of establishing a mini book club at the centre, where residents can come together, share stories and enjoy reading.

Her journey reminds us that growing older doesn’t mean giving up on your passions. Sometimes, life’s most rewarding chapters are still waiting to be written.