GEORGE NEWS - Elizabeth America celebrated her 92nd birthday with family and friends in Pacaltsdorp on Sunday 8 October.
Braam America, her grandson, said, "Ouma Liz - or Aunt Liz to her friends - is fit and enjoys good health.
"She's still doing lots of her own chores. She is a wonderful role model for our family and the community of Pacaltsdorp."
Ouma Liz was born in 1925 on the farm Sanddrif in the Kammanasie region in the district of Uniondale.
She attended Rusoord Primary School, one of the many farm schools that closed down over the years.
Like most of the farm labourers in those days she started her working life at an early age, by helping at the small crèche on the farm.
As a teenager she starting nursing, tending to injured World War II soldiers.
An early photo of Elizabeth America (back right) on the farm with family members.
Nursing was the channel through which many of her self-taught talents and her soft and endearing nature came to the fore.
After the war Fred Taute, a prominent farmer in the Langkloof, employed Ouma Liz in the kitchen.
"Ouma Liz was always ready to learn something new and started sewing. I am told that she was an excellent seamstress and made dresses for all in the community, far and wide, young and old," said her grandson.
After the death of Fred Taute she remained on the farm looking after Taute's son who was wheelchair bound.
In 1945 at the age of 20 she married Joseph (Jopie) America from a neighbouring farm.
This was the beginning of the large America family that is dotted across the Southern Cape.
"They had 10 children, 6 boys and 4 girls. I am one of 29 grandchildren and there are 67 great grandchildren and a further 5 great, great grandchildren," said Braam.
The Americas relocated to George in 1980, where Ouma Liz continued to work for Fred Taute's daughter Grace until she finally retired in 2006, already in her 80s.
Her husband passed away 8 years ago.
For many years Elizabeth America, a devoted Christian and member of the Anglican church, helped to prepare children and adults for baptism and confirmation.
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