Secunda resident retires a few months short of her 90th birthday
Today she still will refer to the elderly as “tannie“ and “oom” but is often reminded by her daughter and personnel that she is much older than them.
Well-known, long time resident and familiar face in the community, Cherile Cronje (89), has finally decided to hang up her hat and retire just three months shy of her 90th birthday.
Cronje is known for her work back in the days at the local post office, and until now, has been working for her daughter Annamarie de Kock who is an optometrist in the Secunda Mall.
Due to her balance being affected at her age, Cronje finds her mobility a slight challenge when trying to get around.
This was one of the deciding factors that lead to her retiring.
“I walk strong but there are just some times I lose my balance,” she said.
For nine decades Cronje experienced a lifetime of life-changing events, from World War II to the Covid-19 pandemic and still lives to tell her story.
She was born on August 2, 1932, in Pretoria.
At the age of 10, Cronje and her three sisters were left in an orphanage when WW II maimed their mother.
Cronje has outlived her sisters.
She also has a half-brother who stays in America and a half-sister who stays in Krugersdorp.
So what is the recipe to living nine decades and retiring with a smile?
“I think it is because I always enjoyed the work I did and to get to work with people,” said Cronje.
She retired from the post office in 1992 and then went to work for her daughter, Annamarie, in 1994 up until now.
“In the beginning, I was only helping my daughter out, but then it became permanent.
“I really love my work and enjoy working. I have not felt one day where I would not want to get up and go to work, Not one day.
“I have seen personnel come and go, but yet I have enjoyed working with every single one of them,” said Cronje.
The current personnel have big shoes to fill and Cronje said she is sure they will do well when taking over her reins in the accounts department.
Cronje began working at a post office at the age of 16.
She resigned from the post office at the age of 20 after getting engaged to her late husband, Fanie Cronje.
“Those years if you worked for a post office and were to be married, you were not allowed to work,” said Cronje.
Cronje was then married in 1953. The couple has three daughters Jeannie Berg (1955), Nicolene Pieterse (1958) and Annamarie de Kock (1961).
Cronje returned to the post office in 1969 while the family stayed in Sasolburg. They then moved to Secunda in 1982 when her husband began working for a fertilizer company.
He passed away at the age of 53 years in 1986 and Cronje has never since been married or in a relationship.
“Nothing could compare to him. We were married for 33 years,” said Cronje.
She has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She has seen her share of the world when touring America, Europe and Mauritius.
Besides the odd Grandpa powder, Cronje had never taken any medication and for the first time in her life, about six months ago, she was put on blood pressure medication.
Cronje is the longest staying resident on her street and is well known to everyone around her.
She said her neighbours are helpful when she needs a bit of maintenance done on minor things.
“We all help one another and know of each other. I cannot see myself ever moving from where I stay,” said Cronje.
With her free time now on her hands, Cronje will be focusing her talents more on what she loves to do, and that is knitting.
She will also be using her time to visit more with her friends.
“Every Friday morning since I have been working, I have my hair done at 7.30,” said Cronje.
She is also well-known for her stylish appearance and is always complimented for the way she dresses.
“This is my way of dressing and people do take note of it and compliment me. Everyone knows me for my appearance,” said Cronje.
While she worked at the post office she referred to pensioners who would collect their grants as “tannie or oom”.
Today she still refers to the elder as tannie or oom but is often reminded by her daughter and personnel that she is much older than them.
“This has always been my way of approaching a person,” said a laughing Cronje.
She thanked the Secunda community and says they are fantastic.
“I have never been ill-treated. I have always been treated with love, care and appreciation. My colleagues are a fantastic team to work for and they know if they need anything they can always contact me. My heart is actually sore to be leaving,” said Cronje.
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