The man believed to be the oldest citizen in South Africa, and possibly the oldest man in the world, celebrates his 116th birthday today.
Fredie Blom of Delft has already survived the Spanish flu of 1918 and as the world is currently facing another global pandemic, the Coronavirus, Fredie is taking no chances and is sporting a mask on his special day.
On Friday morning the oupagrootjie was surrounded by his wife, Jeanette Blom, 87, and great-grandchildren, family and friends who sang happy birthday to him at his home in Voorbrug.
Family singing happy birthday to Fredie. Video: Genevieve Serra
Holding his twak pil nearby, Fredie was all smiles for the camera saying he felt good on his birthday with no health complaints: “ Ek is goed, ja, ek is lekker,” he told everyone.
Jeanette shared that Fredie was healthy and only had complaints with his legs: “ Dus net sy bene anders is hy okay.”
Shaun August from the Good Party delivered a birthday cake on behalf of party leader, Patricia de Lille.
“Patricia could not be here, we are just bringing your cake. It is a lockdown but we just wanted to make you feel special,” says Shaun
Fredie even received birthday cards from children as far as Durban.
Shaun August from the Good Party delivered a birthday cake on behalf of party leader, Patricia de Lille.
Community leader Gadija Francis says they are still appealing for people to stick to lockdown regulations and to practice social distancing when they want to visit Fredie.
They are requesting that food parcels be delivered to the old couple.
“They are pensioners and need food inside their home,” she says.
“He has received messages and even handmade cards from children as far as Durban.”
Oupa Fredie and his great-grandchildren. Picture: Genevieve Serra
Fredie has been married to his wife Jeanette for more than 50 years and was born in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape in 1904.
He worked as a gardener and even until the ripe age of 106, he was still chopping wood in the bush.
A month ago Fredie told the Daily Voice how he had survived the Spanish Flu in 1918 which claimed the lives of thousands of South Africans.
Fredie was just 14 and told of how he had to remain outside and sleep inside a haystack after being exposed to the outside world and would be fed his meals by his family.
He recalled how his little sister had also passed away and detailed how bodies were placed on wooden-like carts and were taken to the graveyard strictly by men.
If you want to be part of Fredie’s birthday drop-off celebration, contact, Gairoenesa Michael on 082 7637630
.