Lizzie celebrates half century
2007-08-02
May Saal
ON 4 August 1957 Lizzie Kenned, then aged 19, started working at Diemersfontein farm. This week she celebrates her 50th year of employment on the farm.
And tomorrow Diemersfontein will be hosting a celebratory dinner for the 69-year-old Lizzie in honour of this remarkable achievement.
Lizzie moved to Diemersfontein with her parents, Adam and Caroline Julies, in 1942. She was only four years old at the time.
She grew up on the farm with her six bothers.
“I was born in Wellington and went to school in Newtown. At the age of 19 I started as one of the export plum packers and was later asked to work in the “big” house.
“The Sonnenberg family has been very good to me over the years and stil are.
"I worked for David’s parents, Richard and Cecilia Sonnenberg, and when they passed away a few years ago, I kept on working for their son and his wife as housekeeper.
“I work very hard, but it’s always a pleasure. They even took me overseas to England and Spain with them once. It was a great experience,” Lizzie says with a huge smile on her face.
Lizzie married Stephan John Kenned at the age of 31 and together they had two children, Stephan and Stephanie. Sadly only eight years later, Stephan passed away.
Lizzie went on raising the children alone, including Stephan’s other two children, Whilvern and Evelyn, by his first wife. Lizzie has never married again. She was too busy and wanted to look after the children myself.
Today Lizzie works three days a week in the “groot huis” for David and Susan.
And when does she plan to retire?
“I don't know. I can’t sit still and do nothing. I work in my garden sometimes to keep myself busy. But that’s not enough for me,” says the energetic Lizzy.
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