HELINA Radise might be a century old, but is still concerned about her looks.
"Sorry I took so long, but I had to make sure I'm dressed for the occasion. How do I look?" she asked her friends who attended her 100th birthday party in Bethanie, North West, on Reconciliation Day.
She looks like someone in her 80s. But Radise was born on December 16 1914 in De Wildt, near present-day GaRankuwa, north-west of Pretoria.
But the wrinkles on her face and hands tell the story of one who has lived through both world wars and apartheid, as well as the struggle against the racist regime and its ultimate demise.
After many years of living through the injustice of apartheid and police harassment, Radise still cherishes that moment when Nelson Mandela, four years her junior, was inaugurated as our first democratic president in 1994.
"I still remember being ill- treated by white cops in Sophiatown [Johannesburg]. Every day you had to worry if they are not coming for you. Those were the worst years, I'm glad that has passed. We now live in an era where we don't have to produce a dompas wherever we go. We walk freely without being harassed," she said.
Even after seeing in the new year a hundred times, she still has a zest for life and only started using a walking stick three years ago.
Ever the lady and a hygiene fanatic, Radise still brushes her teeth and washes her hands before and after every meal.
"I'm still fresh and a lady, so I need to act as such and take care of myself," said the soft-spoken Radise.
Sitting in her living room with her family and friends, she looks back on 100 years under the African sun.
"In my day we had no TV, computers or cellphones. If someone wanted to see you, they had to write a letter. Nowadays [using a phone] you can chat to someone who is far and still hear them. It's amazing," said Radise, who is partially deaf and blind.
She recalls a time when, as a little girl, they played games such as diketo.
"I am fortunate to have lived through the apartheid era and democracy," said Radise, who has four children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was an only child and had to look after the family's cattle and milk them. She moved to Sophiatown in Johannesburg after marrying her husband, Marcus Radise, in 1938.
She later lived in Alexandra before moving to Bethanie, near Marikana.
"From the moment I met him," she said of Marcus, who died in 1952, "I knew he was going to be my husband. People back in the day were honest, if they said they loved you they meant it. I still love and miss him."
And her secret to her long life?
Radise, the only one in the family to live to this age, said: "Obey God and respect your elders."
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Centurion Radise a lady for all seasons - 100 and counting
HELINA Radise might be a century old, but is still concerned about her looks.
"Sorry I took so long, but I had to make sure I'm dressed for the occasion. How do I look?" she asked her friends who attended her 100th birthday party in Bethanie, North West, on Reconciliation Day.
She looks like someone in her 80s. But Radise was born on December 16 1914 in De Wildt, near present-day GaRankuwa, north-west of Pretoria.
But the wrinkles on her face and hands tell the story of one who has lived through both world wars and apartheid, as well as the struggle against the racist regime and its ultimate demise.
After many years of living through the injustice of apartheid and police harassment, Radise still cherishes that moment when Nelson Mandela, four years her junior, was inaugurated as our first democratic president in 1994.
"I still remember being ill- treated by white cops in Sophiatown [Johannesburg]. Every day you had to worry if they are not coming for you. Those were the worst years, I'm glad that has passed. We now live in an era where we don't have to produce a dompas wherever we go. We walk freely without being harassed," she said.
Even after seeing in the new year a hundred times, she still has a zest for life and only started using a walking stick three years ago.
Ever the lady and a hygiene fanatic, Radise still brushes her teeth and washes her hands before and after every meal.
"I'm still fresh and a lady, so I need to act as such and take care of myself," said the soft-spoken Radise.
Sitting in her living room with her family and friends, she looks back on 100 years under the African sun.
"In my day we had no TV, computers or cellphones. If someone wanted to see you, they had to write a letter. Nowadays [using a phone] you can chat to someone who is far and still hear them. It's amazing," said Radise, who is partially deaf and blind.
She recalls a time when, as a little girl, they played games such as diketo.
"I am fortunate to have lived through the apartheid era and democracy," said Radise, who has four children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was an only child and had to look after the family's cattle and milk them. She moved to Sophiatown in Johannesburg after marrying her husband, Marcus Radise, in 1938.
She later lived in Alexandra before moving to Bethanie, near Marikana.
"From the moment I met him," she said of Marcus, who died in 1952, "I knew he was going to be my husband. People back in the day were honest, if they said they loved you they meant it. I still love and miss him."
And her secret to her long life?
Radise, the only one in the family to live to this age, said: "Obey God and respect your elders."
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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