From hiking Table Mountain as a child to competing in race walking events across South Africa and completing a full 42km marathon in her 70s, staying active has been a constant thread throughout Maureen Otnes’ life.
Now, as the Thornhill Manor resident prepares to celebrate her 96th birthday on September 10, she is still determined to keep moving – even if it means ‘running’ with her walker.
Although she was never a runner, Maureen discovered a love for speed walking – professionally known as race walking – later in life. She joined a Benoni athletics club at the age of 70 and, over the years, she travelled extensively to take part in races from Cape Town to Durban and many places in between.
Completing a full marathon and winning a race walking event at the age of 79 – mainly by outwalking other participants on the uphill sections – remain among her proudest achievements.
“Age is only a state of mind,” she says.
Born in Cape Town in 1930, Maureen lived first in Sea Point before moving to Kloofnek when she was 12. She remembers an active childhood spent hiking Table Mountain, horse riding, exploring Kirstenbosch and swimming at Camps Bay.
She also enjoyed tap dancing, ballet and acting, and fondly recalls performing in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Cape Town City Hall.
“I loved acting,” she says.
Find the silver lining
Maureen believes her positive outlook on life was shaped by her grandfather, whose love of storytelling, poetry and singing left a lasting impression on her.
His advice has stayed with her throughout her life.
“Look on the bright side. Look up at the blue sky. Look ahead. Enjoy life. Be happy. Smile.”
Her adventurous spirit later took her far beyond South Africa. Married to a Norwegian, she travelled extensively through Europe and says Norway, with its dramatic fjords, mountains and the ‘midnight sun’, remains her favourite destination. She had to learn to speak Norwegian to communicate with her mother-in-law and become part of the family.
Despite visiting many countries, she still has one dream she hopes to fulfil – taking a hot air balloon ride.
When Maureen first considered moving to Rand Aid’s Thornhill Manor Retirement Village, she admits she thought retirement villages were ‘for old people’. Today, she says she could not be happier with her decision.
She enjoys the friendships she has formed, the gardens and the strong sense of community.
Although her marathon days are behind her, her enthusiasm for staying active has never faded, and she embraces every opportunity to keep moving.
Family is another cornerstone of her life. She treasures spending time with her children, grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and hopes they will remember her as someone happy, fun-loving and always ready to enjoy life.
As she approaches her 96th birthday, Maureen’s message is simple: “Make the most of every day and never let age decide what you are capable of doing.”
