Fredie Blom, believed to be the oldest man in the country and possibly the world, spent his 115th birthday sweeping his yard and smoking twak, as millions of South Africans made their mark during the national elections on Wednesday.
When the Daily Voice arrived at Fredie’s Voorbrug home in Delft, he was sitting in his backyard in front of a fire.
He then got up and began sweeping up leaves, saying he didn’t see the need to vote.
At times forgetful, Fredie began to laugh when he realised it was his 115th birthday.
Speaking in Afrikaans, he said he was born in 1904 in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, and praised God for his exceptionally long life.
“Wat God my gegee het, kan geen mens my gee nie,” he says.
Photo: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
Fredie, who is still able to wash and dress himself and walk on his own, admits his legs have become a little weaker since his last birthday.
“Ek loop maar ’* bietjie swaar, maar ek is tevrede,” he explains.
“Ek is nie oud nie, ek is jonk. I need to ask God, the boss up there, for forgiveness vir my sondes. Only He can give us strength.”
Sitting alongside his wife, Jeanette Blom, 87, whom he met nearly 50 years ago in Philippi, Fredie says he does not see the need to vote.
He claims he voted in the past, but community workers say they could not find his name on the voter’s roll.
Video: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
“Vir wat moet ek vote, ek sien nie hoekom nie,” says Fredie.
A hartseer Jeanette, who has the flu, says she was feeling too ill to go and cast her vote.
The couple have been married for 48 years and have no children together.
It has yet to be confirmed whether Fredie is the oldest man in the country, but no contenders have stepped forward since the Daily Voice reported on his 114th birthday.
It is believed Fredie is the oldest man alive, after the Guinness World Records certified Masazo Nonaka of Japan as the oldest man at the age of 112.
Nonaka passed away in January 2018 at the age of 113.
‘THERE’S NO NEED FOR ME TO VOTE’: Fredie and wife, Jeanette, 87. Photo: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
Guinness World Records failed to respond to queries from the Daily Voice.
Community workers are now planning a birthday bash for Fredie on 16 May at Delft Civic Centre, where 115 elderly guests will be treated.
Meanwhile, Fredie and his wife are in dire need of a stove and fridge.
If you would like to assist, contact community worker Gaironesa Michaels on 082 763 7630.
genevieve.serra@inl.co.za