Bo-Kaap great-grandmother is a centenarian
Gabiba Petersen celebrates her 100th birthday.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
A Bo-kaap great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, July 1.
The family home of Gabiba Petersen, who was born and raised in Pentz Street, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, was buzzing with activity as loved ones came around to wish her.
Ms Petersen, whose maiden surname was Williams, married Hassiem Petersen in 1947. They had seven children, five of whom are still alive. Mr Petersen died at age 47 of a heart attack.
She now has 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Ms Petersen completed school at Standard Six at Prestwich Street Primary School, in Cape Town, and was academically inclined, achieving first place every year. After school, she went to work for her family.
She was one of ten children.
Her granddaughter Khashiefah Prins-Kamish said her "mamma’s" goodness was her nurturing, caring, and loving nature.
“She raised us. We would come home from school, and she would wash our clothes. She reared us,” she said.
"Up until today, we do it. This has been imparted to us. To prepare and be ready for the next activity, everything was in its place, which has played a pivotal role in our structured way of life," said Ms Prins-Kamish.
Pictured right, in front, is centenarian Gabiba Petersen. With her are some of her grandchildren, at the back, Mujaheed Petersen, Thaafier Petersen, Ridah Hassiem, Yusraa Keraan, Zulpha Marcus and her husband Hassiem Marcus. In front is Khashiefah Prins-Kamish.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
Her grandson, Hassiem Marcus, said mamma’s legacy was the love and wisdom she shared with all of them.
“Almost all of us grew up or stayed in this house,” he said.
Ms Petersen was rather independent and active until recent months, when she fell because of a raised floor board.
She is an avid reader and hid the novels she read as a young person from her strict father, who insisted on following religious instructions.
Oldest grandchild Fuad Prins, who now lives in Bahrain, sent the Atlantic Sun a message.
“I had the privilege of growing up with and learning from my grandmother for all of my childhood. Today, I see how my values have been shaped by her firm yet gentle influence.
“When I show respect to others, kindness, my optimism, and perseverance that carries me through any challenges, are the gifts she has afforded me through leading by example and modelling those attributes,” he wrote.
He said to him mamma’s legacy is that of being a true family matriarch.
“She is the heart that holds our entire extended family together. The steady hand that guides, protects, and has always sacrificed for the well-being of the whole. Her being is the foundation that will support us for generations to come. I am, and will forever be, deeply grateful for her, for her life and for the incredible love she has given us all,” said Mr Prins.