100 Years of Sarojini Govender: in her own words as family celebrate her century today in Phoenix
A Century of Grace, Courage and Wisdom — Honouring a Remarkable Life Built on Family, Faith, Community and the Enduring Power of Education
Born on 23 July 1926, Sarojini Govender has lived through a century of extraordinary change while remaining steadfast in the values that defined her journey: love, resilience, hard work, compassion and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. From apartheid to democracy, she has seen it all and believes that her legacy will live on through her children, grand-children and 13 great-grand-children.
Named after the renowned activist and poet Sarojini Naidu, she grew to embody the strength, determination and independence of the remarkable women she admired.
From humble beginnings and challenging circumstances to raising generations of successful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her life stands as a testament to the enduring strength of family and community.
As she celebrates her 100th year, family, friends and loved ones gather in Woodview, Phoenix today to honour not only the milestones she has witnessed, but the legacy she continues to inspire — a legacy woven from kindness, perseverance, wisdom and a heart forever filled with gratitude and love.
“You have touched so many lives with your kind and caring heart, and our family is stronger because of you. Thank you for the love you’ve given so freely. You are an inspiration to all of us, and we are so grateful to have you in our lives,” wrote Noah Naidoo in a message.
Little Mia Naidoo chimed: “One hundred is a really, really big number. That means you have seen a lot of yummy birthday cakes. Happy 100th Birthday, mama!”
Below is Sarojini Govender’s story in her own words:
Early Days…
I am Sarojini Govender, born on 23rd of July 1926.
I was named after an Indian activist, poet, author and a founding member of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) who arrived in South Africa and played an active role in politics here just before my birth.
Her name was Sarojini Naidu. She was known as the “Nightingale of India”. Queen Elizabeth II was also born on 21 April 1926. I am very proud to be associated with these strong independent women.
I was the fourth of ten children, six sisters and three brothers. We were a very happy, supportive family, raised with strong family values. Life was simple but difficult and challenging.
But we lived with a very simple philosophy. All for one and one for all. School was very enjoyable; I developed a love of poetry and literature and still do. Early memories of standing on the desk with my late brother AC Naidoo, reciting poems in front of the class. I still enjoy this pastime although occasionally I forget a phrase now and then.
My favourite poems were Daffodils by Wordsworth, Casabianca (Hemans), The Slaves Dream (Longfellow), Abo Ben Adhem (Leigh Hunt), The Highway Man (Alfred Noyes), and The Village Blacksmith (Longfellow), etc.
I joined the Guide Movement (scouts) and this honed my character to a great degree for their motto was ‘Be Prepared’, which I carried this throughout my life’s journey, and believe me there were a great many difficulties but I met them head on with a sparkle in my eye, a lilt in my voice a spring in my step and a song in my heart, thanks to this solid grounding. Unfortunately, I was unable to pursue further studies beyond standard five.
Working class mom
Later I worked in a factory as a machinist and honed my craft to become a successful dressmaker in great demand. I married into a prominent family on the South Coast, later relocated to Durban to live with my parents and extended family.
It was during this time that I took on private dressmaking to support my family as I had five young children Shirley, Rennie, Daya, Soon and Mitzy.
From an early age I instilled in them the importance of education, the love of literature independence and responsibility. Unfortunately, I was unable to send them to university, but I can proudly say that each are successful in their own right and have since gone on to educate their children way beyond their own qualifications.
The mantra I always preached to my children, was that in education lies your salvation and that a man without ambition is as useless as a ship without a rudder. My grandchildren are used to these sayings as well and would occasionally recite them to me to let me know that they have not forgotten these teachings.
House parties were a thing - not clubs
There are many simple, lovely memories I remember from my early years as a working mother. Fridays was bhaja nights, cakes and sweets. Weekends were the only time that we had meat. I remember Saturday morning visits to market for fresh produce, fish and meat. Shopping was usually done by mid-day as most shops and markets etc were closed after noon.
On Sunday stores were closed. So, weekends were a time for family. It was a time for visiting family, friends and loved ones. It was not unusual to see lots of family, all their children, converging at one house. House parties were also a thing at that time. People did not go out to clubs; they preferred to go to a house party.
Neighbours were like extended families, there were no fences or locked gates, they were always readily welcoming and open doors. An embodiment of sharing is caring. And it was not unusual to see neighbours visiting each with a bowl of curry to be exchanged in the evenings. In this way one had a variety on some days.
Celebrations like Christmas, Diwali, New Year’s and Eid were all celebrated with neighbours, the community as well as family and friends. A good time was normally had by all. The Group Areas Act unfortunately forced us to relocate to Chatsworth, Phoenix, Merebank etc.
For the first time I had my own house in Chatsworth and moved in with my five children and my parents. Once again good bonds with community were formed. It was challenging, difficult but good times.
Birth of Television
Another memory, that was important, not everyone had television in those days, and the few of us that had our own one, and would see neighbours and children trooping along, sitting on the stairs, waiting for 8pm to watch TV. We would all gaze at the SABC logo until time. It was enjoyable we had movie nights and watched Bonanza, Little house on the prairie, MacGyver.
I left Chatsworth for Woodview, Phoenix 40 years ago. By then my children had married and had their own children. Once again, I was in seventh heaven. I was blessed with ten adorable grandchildren.
Unfortunately, one of my grandsons, Shaun, was called to rest at a young age (29) but the other nine certainly brought a lot of joy into my live, and I was once again trying to instil the same values in them as I did with my children. I can proudly say that I now have four grandchildren in the medical professional, a lawyer, an IT consultant (I hope that’s the right terminology), two in business and one in the hospitality trade. They are a source of great joy to me. I had in some small way also been instrumental in guiding these young hearts and minds. I know that they have a solid foundation and will move forward in life and carry on my legacy in the future.
My legacy lives on through my great grandchildren, 13 of them. They indeed make me very proud, they show such potential, I know that long after I am gone, my legacy will carry on.
And the only thing I would like in the future is to be surrounded by the love and the company of my children, grandchildren, my family, my community, because after reaching this milestone of a hundred years, which not many are blessed with, my needs are little, a smile, a hug, that means great deal more.
Evolving family ties
The things I miss most are family visits on weekends, the art of conversation, unfortunately, is lost, there is no interaction, even when physically in same space, children are busy on their iPad, watching TV or scrolling on the mobile.
COVID-19 has diminished family visits even further now. The stores being opened throughout the weekend, movie houses etc, means that families are so busy these days that we don’t have much time to visit each other. Now we live as prisoners in our own homes with alarms, gates, barred windows etc.
I would like to quote a line from the Daffodils from William Wordsworth:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude…
And I am going to change it a little, it continues, “and my heart with pleasure filled”.
In my case besides the daffodils, the past, my life flash-backs, all the milestones, everything that I have been through, the success, challenges, they also flash upon the inward eye.
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