Hello Family
Thank you all for joining this wonderful celebration – my granny , my Mama, Jean, Yogi,- Mrs J Naidoo’s eightieth birthday celebration on this lovely perfect beach weather day at Durban’s Beach Bum’s.
As I child, I loved going to my granny’s house. I remember sitting at the kitchen table, being shown how to make my favourite sweet treat to this day, lightly sweetened cinnamon scented crunchy bronzed vermicelli. Lady Diana and the Guru watching over those early lessons. Perfect fluffy rice being washed repeatedly, dinner for us later, and then at some point cherry picking of the pitanga hedge for an unexpected fresh snack.
Time spent at her clothing factory, always a place of wonder for us kids. Being the active moving weights on a cutting table while the rows of fabric were layered on perfectly, were moments that showed a family united, each of us having our role to play, diligence and work ethic, in order to get an outfit created… ten thousand units over. My gran’s taught me to knit and sew, skills for life.
When I was 10, later on, we stayed together for a while at Beauty Street, and my gran, being my gran – the perfectionist, spent nights french braiding the unruly mop of hair I have, and testing me tirelessly on my math timetables. And dare I get any of those wrong, we started all over again, and it felt like the plait started all over again too. At home, these exhausting moments, not a word of french – because she’s a lady, and a slave driver when she needs to be- trust you me. That house, she made a home. A place for everyone and those who needed more. Weekends of fish biryani, sweet potato roti, and kumquat pickle, harvested fresh from the trees in the front yard. Even the added knowledge of fresh herbs bought from the vendors who didn’t spray their crops – Mama you chose organic before it was even fashionable.
As a young adult going through life’s dramas, my gran has been the calm and listening ear to speak to. No judgement. She’s the perfect rational soundboard. The decisions I’ve made are all my own. She always makes the time, even when she’s busy, and I’ve left a message, I know she’ll call back to listen or for insightful dialogue.
This woman understands that the gruelling work of becoming your best self sometimes needs a helping hand. I’m not the only one she’s done this for, and she’s still doing it. You can even ask those termed staff. If we could all just have some of her ways of seeing the world and family extended.
Mama I want to tell you, we’re all fine, and we are all going to be fine. You’ve helped us grow strong, doing what you could to aid our steps forward, and cushioning us from the harshest blows.
My Mama is a fabulously proud and loving woman. Mama my favourite line of your – “No regrets my darlings” – I love that that is your philosophy. Thank you for being an inspiration. We all love you dearly.
Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, My Gran Jean Yogi – Mrs J Naidoo (originally a Pillay) – Let’s raise our hands in a toast! Happy Birthday Mama!