Margaret Maritz, a resident of Touwsrivier in the Western Cape, marked her 118th birthday on September 27, potentially making her one of the oldest living people in the world.
Born in 1906, Maritz has lived through more than a century of significant historical events.
According to her identity documents, which have yet to be independently verified, Maritz could surpass Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, currently recognised as the world’s oldest person at 116 years old.
If confirmed, this would place Maritz among the ranks of ‘supercentenarians’, individuals who have lived beyond 110 years.
The birthday celebration took place at Maritz’s care home in Touws River, where she was joined by two of her 14 children.
“She talks about her life as a young woman, saying you must respect your mother and your father. She didn’t drink, she didn’t smoke,” said Gregory Elroy Adams, a senior nurse at the care home, as per Mail&Guardian.
Maritz’s daughter, Liza Daniels, 67, expressed gratitude for her mother’s longevity.
“We must be grateful. I don’t know if I will reach that age one day. But for me, it’s a very, very big privilege to have a mother that reaches this age,” Daniels said.
While Maritz’s age is remarkable, it’s worth noting that the Guinness World Records lists Jeanne Calment of France as the oldest verified person ever, having lived to 122 years and 164 days.
In South Africa, Johanna Mazibuko, who passed away in March 2023, was believed to be 128 years old, though her records were not officially authenticated.
Maritz’s life spans from the era of horse-drawn carriages to the age of space exploration, encompassing two world wars, the end of apartheid, and South Africa’s transition to democracy.
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Feature Image: Rodger Bosch / AFP via Getty Images
