LUTCHMEE Govender may be hard of hearing, but she is still in good health and celebrated her 100th birthday on Women’s Day last Friday.
Govender was born and raised in Clairwood. Her mother was a housewife and her father was a chef at a hotel.
“I have seven siblings; four brothers and three sisters. We lived on a farm where we grew green beans, herbs and bananas. I cannot recall when it was, but I was very young when my parents passed away,” said Govender, who lives in Umhlatuzana township.
She added that she left school at a young age.
Govender said a family friend introduced her to her husband, Poonsamy, and their arranged marriage followed when she was 20. They wed at the Clairwood Hall.
“We got married the Tamil way. My husband worked as an office assistant at Shell and BP refinery, while I stayed at home and did all the chores, knitting and sewing. Together we had seven children; four girls and three boys.
“Two of my children have sadly passed on. My eldest daughter, Dolly, died 25 years ago. She was 49 years old. My eldest son Bobby passed away three years ago at 74. My husband also died in 1995. He was 74 as well.”
Her surviving children are: Nelson, Radha Moonsamy, Rooks Ramsamy, Malie Naidoo, and Stanley.
Govender has 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren but one died, and one great-great-grandchild.
She loved doing housework, such as hand washing, cooking and polishing the floor with cobra polish but it was restricted in her daily routine.
Govender fell and fractured her hip and has to use a walker.
“I love to have family over so I can cook and feed them. I enjoy watching Tamil movies, doing my work and prayers,” said Govender.
She also enjoyed colouring-in and playing board games with her family to keep her mind active, she said.
To ring in her 100th birthday, her family hosted a party at her home.
Govender said the secret to a long life was daily prayer in the mornings, eating vegetables, and always being respectful, kind, caring and loving to all.
She has been living in her family home in Umhlatuzana township since 1963 with her youngest son Stanley.
He said: “It was a bit difficult taking care of mum after her numerous falls and she has a bit of memory loss but with the help of my siblings, we have adjusted to her lifestyle. She uses a walker and a wheelchair when we have to take her somewhere.”
He added that they visited family and friends at weekends and enjoyed meals with his mom.