What would you ask for as a gift for your 102nd birthday?
In Cynthia de Villiers (née Harley’s) case, all she wanted was “blessings”.
The ACVV Ons Tuiste in Bellville made sure they did just that by hosting a tea and cake party on Saturday with a big basket of flowers as a gift. Her fellow residents, those who are still mobile, also stood around her while throwing streamers, while she laughed delightedly.
The following day she was treated to lunch by her family, including her three children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
De Villiers’ mobility has declined since celebrating her 100th birthday on top of Table Mountain in 2021, yet her sparkle and grit remains.
The deeply religious Cynthia was born to a British father and South African mother on 4 March 1921.
Life-changing events
There were two events in her life that drastically changed her outlook.
One was when she walked past a telephone booth as a young woman.
She heard it ringing and answered.
She didn’t know the man on the other side, but they started chatting right away.
Their phone conversations soon led to in-person dates and in 1951 she got married to John de Villiers.
John was Afrikaans and Cynthia English and the two later moved to Nababeep in Namakwaland where she soon learned to speak Afrikaans.
They had three children – Linda, Jenny Combrink and Roy de Villiers.
Later, when the children were older, they moved to Chrismar in Bellville, where John worked for Droomers. They also stayed in Goodwood for a time.
John passed away in 1982.
The second event that had a big impact on her was around that time.
She was caring for John, who had cancer, when a vision came to her of God telling her: “Fear not. I will be with you always.”
This has been a great comfort since.
When TygerBurger paid a visit to her in 2021, she said her recipe for old age is “believing in the Lord Jesus Christ”.
