Happy 100th birthday, Betty

On Tuesday, 17 January 2023 we held a special 100th birthday party for Tafta resident, Mrs Elsbeth ‘Betty’ Lombard. In her day, Betty was an excellent tennis player and a founding member of a woman’s book club, as well as being a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Her special day was shared with family, close friends, Tafta staff and celebrity guests Darren Maule and Anna Kelly (pictured above with her and Tafta CEO, Femada Shamam). Delicious birthday cakes were sponsored by Reddy’s bakery and Claire from The Task Bar, while Betty’s daughter-in-law arranged snacks, champagne and decor to make the day extra special.

Thank you to everyone who shared in this joyous occasion. And thank you to all who sent birthday wishes to the beautiful centenarian! We appreciate all the love and kindness

Back in 1923 when Betty was born, Jan Smuts was the president of South Africa, although the country still fell under the rule of Britain’s King George V. It was also the year that The Electricity Supply Commission – Eskom – was established.

Other famous people born this year were Moira Lister, film stage and television actress, anti-aprtheid activist, Moses Mabhida, and Nadine Gordimer, the writer and political activist. Our Betty had outlived them all!

Here’s wishing Betty a wonderful year ahead.