Georgina still tickles the ivories at 99
Georgina Davids, celebrated her 99th birthday with friends and family in Hanover Park, on Friday July 19.
Affectionately known as Auntie Ginny, Ms Davids, who lives with her daughter, Monica, in Hanover Park, still reads without spectacles and has enough flexibility in her fingers to tickle the ivories on her keyboard.
No slouch when it comes to modern-day technology, Ms Davids, who grew up in a time long before computers and satellites, has had a few cellphones over the years.
Born in Jordaan Street, Bo-Kaap, Ms Davids, the second eldest of six siblings, moved to Hanover Park in 1972 with her family, before settling in Rocklands, Mitchell’s Plain, more than 40 years ago. She lived there with her second-eldest daughter, Rita Scheffers, for many years before moving back to Hanover Park.
She developed a love for music from a young age while attending Bethal AME and Trafalgar Junior School in District Six. She married Jack Davids in 1947 and together they raised five children.
A long-serving member of her church and an organist well into her 70s, Ms Davids loves company, can tell a good story and flash a sweet smile to warm any heart.
She’s played piano since the age of 11 and received lessons from a family friend. Although no longer performing official church duties, she occasionally hits the keys for the congregation and at family gatherings. Besides her love for music, she also enjoyed watching movies and played netball in her younger days.
“Every day is a blessing, and I’ve been blessed all my life,” Ms Davids said.
“The secret to good health is serving God,” she said.
“She was just blessed in helping others,” said her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Retief, who lives in in Eerste River. “She was always willing to help anyone, whether it was shelter for the night or taking care of kids while their parents were working, she said.
