MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's Regina Ntame celebrated her 106th birthday on 6 September.

Born in 1918, in the same year, town and province as Nelson Mandela, Regina celebrated her landmark birthday surrounded by her family, friends and neighbours in Mossel Bay's Joe Slovo Village.

The celebration was held at the Joe Slovo Community Hall, where Regina was greeted by the mayor of Mossel Bay, Dirk Kotzé, provincial minister Jaco Londt, as well as other municipal representatives.

It is clear Regina has attracted a lot of love over her long life, by the heartwarming messages from her youngest and only remaining son, Mthuthuzeli Mveni, as well as her daughter, Nomfezo Mveni.

As a young girl in the Eastern Cape, Regina loved doing traditional isiXhosa dances, speaking isiXhosa and attending church.

She was "like a son" to her father, helping him farm sheep during the day, but once she stepped inside her home, she had to perform the duties of a young girl.

She was married to Malungisa Mveni, with whom she had 11 children, but only three remain - Mthuthuzeni Mveni (her youngest son), Nontebiso Mveni and Nomfezo Mveni Mthuthuzeni (her two daughters). Regina has 13 grandchildren.

According to Regina, her secret to living such a long and healthy life is having helped her community as a Sangoma. Her work as a traditional healer was something she truly loved.

Regina says she made sure she was a smart doctor and she did her work well. 

The many ways in which she served her community over the years have nurtured "good karma", she believes.

Before moving to Mossel Bay five years ago, she lived in Fort Beaufort. She currently lives with her son and daughter-in-law, and enjoys watching TV.

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers was presented to her at her birthday party, before food and cake were served. 

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