100 and winning!

Congratulations to centenarian Lilian Mallet, who won first prize in the NSRI’s 2022 Four Car Competition. Daughter Wendy Nortje accepted the prize on her behalf.

The prize of not one, but two brand new Mitsubishi cars could not have gone to a more deserving or dedicated supporter of the NSRI. Lilian Mallet, whose prize was accepted by daughter Wendy Nortje on her behalf, is 100 years old and has been donating to the NSRI for decades.

“Her reaction to winning was a sight to behold,” says Wendy. “It started off with a loud yell and her hands shot up to her face in disbelief, which soon gave way to total joy and amazement. We are still pinching ourselves to make sure it's not a dream. ”

Fiercely independent, Lilian lives in a retirement village in Boksburg, Gauteng in a small flat, and manages to prepare her own easy meals. She also has meals brought to her by her daughter, to whom she has given the cars, and who is “absolutely thrilled to have been so lucky”.

“Mom has been a supporter of the NSRI for many, many years,” says Wendy. “It all started with her second husband Paul, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was the commander of the ship HMS Goodall. Later, General Smuts recalled the South African personnel on board the ship back to South Africa, and it later sunk during the war, near Russia. This meant Paul's life was spared, and he lived for many years thereafter. Thanks to his love for the sea, years later he began supporting the NSRI. When he passed away in 2005, my mom continued their support, and in 2010 started taking part in the car competition each year, in memory of Paul.”

Wendy describes her mom as a jolly person, with quite a sense of humour. “She is always smiling and has a very happy disposition,” says Wendy. “Her family are the most important people to her. In her younger days she played bowls as a sport and participated in league games. She also served as chairlady in her bowling club.”

Lilian has a son, Dave, who lives in North Carolina in the USA with his family, and daughter, Wendy, who lives in Boksburg not far from the retirement village. She has grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“I am now a widow, having lost my husband to cancer not too long ago,” says Wendy. “So I spend a lot of time assisting and supporting my mom so she can lead her ‘independent’ life, which is her choice. She insists she does not want to go into assisted living, where someone else will try to rule her life for her.

“The work that is done by the NSRI is to be truly admired. The volunteers who put their own lives at risk while they rescue others is such a selfless gesture. The numerous rescues which are responded to, and now also being so involved in preventative measures like teaching children to swim and by doing so trying to prevent drownings, is remarkable. In fact, everyone at the NSRI, from admin to the rescuers, seem to be just one big family, conscious of the needs of others. They provide a selfless service to the public. They are knights in shining armour!”

A hearty congratulations to both Lilian and Wendy. Enjoy your prize!