A Mitchells Plain ouma this week celebrated her 84th birthday with a party for 40 homeless people in Town Centre.
On Monday afternoon, Hilda Classen treated her guests to a lekker warme meal, cake and even had party packs for them.
Hilda is well-known in her community for feeding the needy on a weekly basis from her own pocket since her retirement 24 years ago.
She says seeing homeless people sitting outside their informal structures while walking to the Mitchells Plain Day Hospital on 3 July inspired her to do something special for them.
“It was so sad, I carried them in my heart all this time,” she tells the Daily Voice.
“I wanted to cheer them up and remind them they are special too.
“After thinking hard about what could be the nicest thing, I thought why not dedicate my birthday to them and give them a reason to smile.
“I love helping people and I think with the little contribution we make in the lives of the needy we can eventually restore humanity in our communities.
“You do not have to be rich to help someone.
“I use my pension money and the love and respect I get from these children is priceless.
“And guess what? I thought I was spoiling them but who got the sweetest surprise? Me!
“They bought me flowers and chocolate. Who would have thought? They really made my day special.
Shaber Scholdz, who has been living on the streets near Town Centre for six months now, says: “She is a blessing, you know she is always looking out for us.
“Every week she brings us food and we were so happy when we heard she was coming to celebrate her birthday with us.
“We wanted to say thank you and we got her the flowers and a chocolate.
“We also sang for her. We really appreciate and wish her well.”
Ouma Hilda says her passion for helping started when she worked at a hostel, and when she resigned at 60, she knew she’d spend her life giving back to the community.