By Age has not dimmed 72-year-old Hester Themistocles’ love for books. Affectionately known as “Tannie Hester,” the resident of the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni, has made her community proud after emerging victorious in a national reading competition held in Cape Town.
Her triumph is more than a personal milestone—it serves as a compelling case study on active ageing, the potential of social development programs, and how continuous intellectual engagement can foster vibrant community building in senior care facilities.
From Small-Business Roots to National Acclaim
For Themistocles, reading is a lifelong passion that began when she was in Standard One. Before moving to the care centre six years ago, she and her late husband, Nicholas Themistocles, raised three children while operating a dry-cleaning business.
Even during demanding commercial working days, she prioritized literacy and intellectual curiosity, always making time for a book during lunch breaks or while relaxing on holiday.
“Whatever I am doing, my late husband is looking over me because he is always in my heart. I loved him dearly, I still do, and I will always love him,” Themistocles shared, reflecting on their journey together.
After advancing through competitive regional and provincial rounds, Themistocles secured her spot on the national stage in Cape Town. She returned with a medal, a book, a tablet, and R1 200 in prize money. Beyond the accolades, the national finalists were treated to a week-long stay at a Cape Town hotel and a sponsored celebratory stay in Sandton upon their return.
The Social and Economic Value of Public-Private Initiatives
Themistocles’ path to victory underscores the pivotal role that local institutional support and public-private partnerships play in social development.
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TANNIE HESTER’S WINNING JOURNEY │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Regional & Provincial Qualifiers (Ekurhuleni Library) │
│ 2. National Competition Victory (Cape Town) │
│ 3. Recognition & Rewards (Medal, Tablet, Prize Money) │
│ 4. Community Impact (Mini Book Club Proposal) │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Her competitive reading journey was facilitated by Selina Nkomonde, a Social Auxiliary Worker at the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre who coordinates its reading program. Recognizing Themistocles’ passion, Nkomonde encouraged her to participate in the competition sponsored by the Ekurhuleni Library.
“She kept winning at every stage until she qualified for the national competition in Cape Town. She has made us extremely proud,” said Nkomonde.
Her victory illustrates how targeted investments in adult literacy and senior social infrastructure yield measurable social returns:
- Promoting Cognitive Longevity: Continued mental stimulation through reading helps seniors maintain cognitive health and personal fulfilment.
- Building Social Capital: Institutional programs create opportunities for seniors to connect, engage, and inspire one another.
- Incentivizing Community Involvement: Corporate and municipal sponsorships—such as library programs and corporate event hosting—provide tangible incentives that elevate grassroots talent.
Driving Ripple Effects in Senior Communities
The impact of Themistocles’ national victory extends well beyond her personal achievements. Her success has ignited a resurgence of interest in literature among her fellow residents at the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre.
Resident Erika Gilfillan noted that spending time with Themistocles motivated her to resume reading, inspiring her to seek new reading glasses to enjoy books once again. Capitalizing on this momentum, Themistocles now plans to establish a mini book club at the centre, creating a dedicated forum where residents can gather, share stories, and read together.
The Broader Takeaway
Hester Themistocles’ achievement offers an inspiring lesson for both the public and private sectors: growing older does not mean relinquishing purpose or passion.
By creating structured avenues for lifelong learning, organizations and government agencies can unlock untapped potential across all age demographics. As Tannie Hester has proven, the most rewarding chapters of life and leadership are often waiting to be written.
