Newlands East gran, Alice Fernandez of Garrupa Crescent who will be celebrating her 103rd birthday on 11 February, said her secret to long life is prayer and having a smile on her face despite what is happening around her.
“I am always smiling and even with all my wrinkles, I still feel like a spring chicken. I read the newspaper every day and I do not use reading glasses. I have a slight hearing problem but even in my ‘old age’ I still feel young. I would like to thank God for letting me reach this milestone. I would also like to thank my family and community for the love they give to me,” she said. Fernandez said she would like to spend her upcoming birthday having lunch with her family, neighbours and the community as one big family. Chairperson of non-profit organisation, Ubuntu Music in the Park, Lawrence Palmer said they have planned a special lunch for Gran Fernandez where she will get to spend time with her family, neighbours and the community as she has wished.
The birthday lunch will take place on 29 January at 11am to 5pm at her home in Garrupa Crescent. “We have come together as the community and her family to celebrate and cherish our oldest senior citizen in Ward 11. We have residents who came on board and sponsored food, entertainment and a pamper day for Gran. This is our way of showing how much we love and appreciate her,” said Palmer. Palmer added that the community is invited to join in on the celebrations. Gran Fernandez said she is looking forward to spending her special day with her family, neighbours and the community. “I am grateful to those who have planned my birthday lunch, I am looking forward to singing and eating my favourite meal which is stew and curry,” she said. She was born on 11 February 1919 in Durban and is the daughter of Cecil and Eva Gaillard. She got married to Caitonio Nelson Fernandez (who is now late) on 23 October 1937 at the St Theresa’s Church in Sydenham by the late Father Charles Hugo. “It was a fun-filled and blessed occasion,” she said. Her family consists of five children (three surviving), 19 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
