Century of loving prayer

CENTURY: From left, Lindiwe Saki, Phatiwe Saki and Nomathamsanqa Mpondo celebrating Phatiwe’s birthday
Picture:SIVENATHI GOSA

Traditional regalia was the theme of the day as Phatiwe Saki celebrated her 100th birthday at the African Methodist Episcopal Church hall in Mdantsane on Saturday.

The hall was decked in white, orange and gold decorations with isiXhosa beads and accessories topping it all off.

Family and friends of the Saki family took their time to celebrate with the family on the special day.

Nolindile Sindelo described Saki as a kind and loving person, who always went out of her way to share hospitality and comfort.

“I have known Saki for 41 years. I was still very young when we first met. She was the only elderly woman whom we looked up to, especially when it came to traditional rituals.

“She has taught us how to be wives and mothers in our homes. I don’t know anyone else who is as soft-spoken – she prefers peace to drama,” Sindelo said.

Saki’s second child, Lindiwe Saki, 64, shared some childhood memories that she and her two siblings, the late Zilindile Saki and Nomathamsanqa Mpondo, experienced while being raised by their mother.

“My mother was a helper, and I used to go to work with her.

“Our mother gave birth to us and raised us in the suburbs while she was a domestic worker.

“When we we were five, we were sent to the rural areas to live with relatives. Regardless of the tough conditions we were raised in, our mother did an excellent job,” said Lindiwe said.

“As her children, we would like to thank her for raising us, and also for raising our children.”

Granddaughters Noluthando Pantsi and Dr Sivu Kaumbe said their grandmother is a loving and kind-hearted person.

“She is a woman of prayer, one who made sure every night that we pray and thank God for our blessings.

“She taught us to bake house chores like baking at the age of age seven. We are both married women because of her,” said Pantsi.

“Our grandmother taught us to that we accept a person regardless of their background. She taught us love.

“We all have special nicknames from her, which clearly indicates how much she loves us,” said Kaumbe

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