Newlands grandmother Joan Brandt celebrates her 90th birthday with family

Newlands resident, Joan Brandt, received a huge surprise for her 90th birthday when her niece, Carole Cooper, came from Australia to celebrate with her.

A dozen of her family members gathered at a house in Kenilworth to celebrate her special birthday on Thursday, November 6.

Ms Brandt originally lived in a house in Cavendish Street, Claremont, though her father bought a house in Harfield Village, into which the family moved. Ms Brandt is one of five siblings, where she has a sister, Ursula Nagel, and a brother, Ivor Hellenberg, while her sisters, Helen Cooper and Patricia Prince, have passed away.

Ms Brandt and her husband, Eddie Brandt, would stay with their family in Retreat before moving to Crawford. Her husband passed away at the age of 59. The couple had two children, Linda Reid, 58, and Julian Brandt, 61, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ms Brandt has a long career in the clothing industry. She was a manager at a clothing store in Ndabeni, and then she was approached by the owner of a linen shop in Wynberg, where she worked until her retirement.

Ms. Brandt said she is grateful to have reached this age.

“I am still active and can still do my power walks, which I do in Newlands forest with my friends,” she said.

Ms Brandt attributes her good health to leading an active lifestyle in her youth when she played badminton, squash, and tennis.

When Ms Brandt started her family, she always believed in the philosophy that you should “be yourself.”

“Don’t envy; you will go through darkness and then there will be a light, a light of the ‘Almighty’ that will help you,” she said.

Ms Brandt said she is grateful for her family, as she is a pensioner, she said her children will always help her if she needs anything. Ms Brandt said she does not have many goals going forward; she just enjoys spending time with her family. Apart from her power walks, which she enjoys, she enjoys knitting, where she makes jerseys, beanies, scarves, and blankets for the less fortunate.

Ms Reid said her mother has always been active.

“Her family and grandchildren always kept her busy,” she said. Ms Reid said her family is proud that her mother has reached this milestone. “She has good eyesight, can read without spectacles, and she still plays piano,” she said.

Mr Brandt said it is amazing that his mother can reach this milestone.

“My mum always stood behind me, she always believed in me and trusted what I must do, and she was my biggest supporter,” he said.

Ms Cooper said it was important for her to come from Australia to celebrate her aunt’s birthday. “She is my mother’s elder sister, and we lost our mother, so it was important for me to be here,” she said.