Anna Magdalena Adams, 89, of Cafda, has been using her own two feet as a form of transport since she was 15.
Walking keeps her fit and healthy and she recommends the habit to everyone.
A little hard of hearing, Ms Adams is tall and thin and looks ready to hit road any time.
She said she prefers to walk to areas such Diep River, Plumstead and Lotus River instead of taking the taxi.
“I grew up in Ottery, then we moved to Wynberg with my
seven sisters and two brothers. To date six daughters have sur-
vived.”
Her son Jonathan, with whom she lives, with, said she takes after her mother, Dora Barnes, a short woman who also used to love walking. Ms Adams started to walk to work when she got a job as a domestic worker at the age of 15. “I walked to Diep River and slept in during the week and weekends walked back home.”
Even after she got married and had six children, she kept on walking to wherever she needed to be. “I would get them ready for school and then walked to work in Plumstead where I was looking after my madam’s mother who was sick.”
Ms Adams does not only walk to keep fit but she also loves tap dancing.
She does her own washing, cleaning and she stopped cooking after she mistakenly threw toffee apple food colouring into the pot instead of spices, leaving her with some very red food. “I couldn’t see properly any longer as I was losing my eyesight,” said Ms Adams. She believes that moving around and being busy with gardening as well as having “the Lord in my life” keeps her young.
She used to attend a seniors’ club at CAFDA before the organisation moved to Schaapkraal.
Aubrey Robinson, a community worker who regularly took these seniors on outings and who introduced us to Ms Adams, said: “What a remarkable woman and God-fearing mother. I grew up in front of Aunty Anna who always has that beautiful smile. She was the most helpful senior at the club, always willing to do more. Finding it difficult to sit or stand still,
Aunty Anna is just one of those seniors who still like to move around, sharing and caring about others. She still has her beautiful long white hair.