Nina Russell celebrates her 100th birthday at Woodside Village in Rondebosch

Nina Russell continues to stay positive and live life to the fullest as she marks her 100th birthday triumphantly.

Ms Russell, who stays at the Rondebosch-based Woodside Village home for seniors, celebrated this milestone at Woodside’s clubhouse with her family and friends on Thursday, November 27.

“It feels no different than how I normally feel. I don’t think much about my age; however, everyone keeps reminding me that I am turning 100,” she said.

Ms Russell grew up on a farm in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, when she was young. She lived with her parents, Miles Warren, the farmer, and Gladys Warren, the teacher, along with her younger brother Michael on the farm.

“It was a wonderful experience growing up on the farm,” she said.

Ms Russell went to study English and Psychology at Rhodes University in Makhanda (Grahamstown). She would go on to meet her husband Ian Russell, who was a civil engineer. She said that after she got married, she never pursued her career field, and they enjoyed travelling and playing golf together.

Ms Russell and her husband then started a family, moving from Vereeniging to Cape Town in 1959, and later to Pinelands. They would have three children: Jane Lamb, who is now 77 years old, Michael Russell, who is now 75 years old, and Lesley Russell, who is now 72 years old. Ms Russell also has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Her daughter, Lesley, said some of the fondest memories of growing up with her mother were spending Christmas holidays on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, where her mother grew up. “We also have family spread all over South Africa who we visited. We as a family have the travel bug, and we have all travelled extensively around the world,” she said.

Lesley said her mother loves sports and exercise. “She gyms every second day, which keeps her healthy, and she played a lot of golf until a few years ago,” she said.

Ms Russell’s husband died in 1991; however, she has made Woodside Village her home in her later years, where she is a passionate gardener at that location, and she enjoys reading.

Lesley said her mother has a very wide circle of friends at Woodside Village who keep her connected.

“She is a great socialiser and enjoys getting together with friends, watching movies, and playing rummikub,” she said.

Ms Russell received many gifts for her birthday, one such gift was a birthday card signed by King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla.