SPRINGBOK

generations of South Africans will be able to visit the memorial that will add detail to the rich story of South Africa’s history.

OLDEST WWII VETERAN CELEBRATES 99 YEARS By Boipelo Mere WILLIAM van Wyk, the oldest World War 2 veteran in South Africa, and last member of the World War 2 Veteran of South African Coloured Cape Corps ExServicemen's Legion of the Royal Commonwealth Wealth Ex-Serviceman League, celebrated his 99th birthday on Thursday, 9 June 2022. As usual, Van Wyk, ranked Lieutenant General, celebrated his birthday in the company of his family as well as some of his fellow surviving veterans in the Northern Cape, who went to wish him well at his small Colville home.

The 99 year old is still going strong for his age. He can still walk, chase his great great grandchildren around, work in his small garden, and keeps himself busy as a handyman in the yard. He can still see regardless of losing one of his eyes during the war. He only suffers from poor hearing which, according to Van Wyk, is due to the noise of the battlefield.

Van Wyk was born in Beaconsfield and started primary school at St Silvers Mission School until his parents relocated to Modder Rivier in 1933. He joined the army at the age of 18 when the Second World War broke out. He now lives with his second youngest child, Cindi, and several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. His daughter, who is one of his five surviving children, is his primary caregiver.

Throughout his life, Van Wyk and his wife Marie were blessed with 13 children, 30 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren. His wife died at the age of 80. He expressed that his pride and joy for reaching the age of 99 was clouded by the sadness of not being recognised by the army since his return from the war. One of his grandchildren, Barenice Katz, applauded him for the discipline that he has instilled among his family.

Katz said Van Wyk never gets sick, is not on any chronic medication, and has a good memory. She said they always ensure to embrace his presence and give him the deserved recognition whenever they can as they know that not many families are as privileged as they are. "We try to honour every special moment with our elder because we never know what tomorrow holds for us. "It is such a blessing to 32