A SUPER-CENTENARIAN, believed to have been the oldest person in the country, has died just a month and a few days after she celebrated her 110th birthday at a farm in the Gibeon district.
Martha Afrikaner was born on 27 September 1905 at farm Bullsport in the Maltahöhe district. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Afrikaner’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth Klaazen, is 83 years old.
In a recent exclusive interview with The Namibian before her death, Afrikaner – who was a survivor of the First and Second World Wars – attributed her longevity to veldkos and strict adherence to God’s way.
“God is the creator of age, and only God knows why He is still keeping me alive. I do not count years, but they (children and grandchildren) count my years,” Afrikaner then said.
The Afrikaner family announced the death of their mother in a media statement issued last Thursday.
“Not only did we the Afrikaner Family lose a mother, but so has the whole of Namibia and indeed Africa as a continent. She was the third-oldest person in the world,” the statement reads.
luqman@namibian.com.na
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