101 celebrations
BIRTHDAY GIRL: Galima Ismail, 101, of Fairways BIRTHDAY GIRL: Galima Ismail, 101, of Fairways
It's not just Americans who celebrate on the 4th of July.
Ouma Galima Ismail from Fairways enjoyed her 101st birthday, albeit with only five guests, some cake and tea due to the pandemic.
Daughter Rukeya Doutie says that five loved ones came over to commemorate her mother’s special milestone.
“We had to make it special for her. Only five people came over and we had no choice, but to celebrate.”
Rukeya says her mother doesn’t fully grasp how serious the pandemic is.
“When I tell her about the virus, she really doesn’t understand how serious it is,” she says.
“We have an 80-year-old neighbour who is very good at all the lockdown rules.
“My mother will say, ‘tell her to cover her face and come visit’, but of course, the neighbour can’t come.”
A SPECIAL DAY: Daughter Rukeya Doutie
The woke ouma, who grew up in Draper Street, Claremont, doesn’t skrik vir die pandemic, even though she falls within the “clinically vulnerable” category.
“No, I am not fearful of Coronavirus at all. I stay at home, I follow all the protocols, like sanitising, and my visitors must wear a mask. I also keep making du’ah,” says the golden oldie.
“I suffer from hypertension and I have gout, but I honestly don’t feel 101 years old at all.
“This year my birthday was very different because of Coronavirus. My cousins, my children, my grandchildren and my extended family couldn’t come,” she says.
The ouma tells Daily Voice that she can’t remember when she got married, but it was some time in her 20s, as she tries to remember her children.
“I had six children, but only five are left now, with 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.”
Sofaa Noland, four, who ouma Galima claims is her favourite great-granddaughter, says she enjoys playing helper.
“I just love to be around my grandma. I fetch water for her and I try to push her in her wheelchair,” says the toddler.
BIRTHDAY GIRL: Galima Ismail, 101, of Fairways
The ouma with the jolly personality reckons she’s the best cook in the family.
“I still love to go to the beach and I love cooked food. I always tell my kids that they can’t make food the way I did.
“I am very blessed, Alhamdulillah. I must have been good to my parents, that’s why I’m living this long,” she laughs.