They say three’s a crowd, but for these triplets it’s loads of fun.
Mitchells Plain triplets Fahima, Suleila and Rabia Phillips recently celebrated their 21st birthday party, but say they are far from ready to be adults.
The girls still dress alike, and all even work at the same place, doing the same job.
The trio first featured in the Daily Voice in 2013 for their matric ball.
The ladies are administration clerks at a primary school in Mitchells Plain, but still hope to become teachers.
Their parents Gaironesa and Igshaan Phillips, both 51, say their girls are not giving up on their dream.
“Despite being rejected from two universities, they still apply every year in the hope of getting accepted,” says the mom.
The triplets share a bedroom in their parents’ two-bedroom house in Guava Street, Lost City.
They have a little sister, 7, and two older brothers, who recently moved out.
“We had a difficult time raising the girls.
“When they were babies, we had to wash up to 70 nappies per day as each had their own labelled nappies.
“We bought their milk and kimbies directly from the factory to survive. We only made it through the grace of Allah,” Gaironesa says.
Dad Igshaan remembers the hardships: “When the triplets were small, we used to live in the lounge of my parents’ house and slept on the floor. Every morning we had to stand up early to give space for those who needed to get to work.”
The triplets celebrated their 21st on March 3 at Westridge Civic Centre.
Faheema has a boyfriend, who they say buy “chocolates and gifts for all three”.
Rabia, the first born and “talkative” one, say they still do everything together.
“Whoever gets up first in the morning will choose our outfits for the day,” says Rabia.
“We are our own group of friends, because who needs friends when you have sisters.”