One of the Soutpansberg’s oldest residents and a legend in her own right, Miss Betty Muriel Noakes, passed away at the age of 98 on Sunday.

Betty was born on 29 August 1913 in Portsmouth, England, and her parents moved to South Africa in 1917 where her father, Cyril, started his South African career as a photographer.

During the war, Cyril enrolled for military service and rose to the rank of naval commander, based in Simonstown. In recognition of the contribution he made as commander, he received the honorary MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from the Queen herself.  There is a photograph of this festive occasion, with Betty walking hand in hand with her parents at the entrance to Buckingham Palace.

The Noakes family moved to Louis Trichardt in 1924. Here, the young Betty attended primary school and enrolled for senior school at Roedean Girls High School in Johannesburg where she excelled at academics and horse riding. She also completed her tertiary education in Johannesburg, where she was a keen participant in literary, art and cultural activities. Betty then taught English and history for many years on the East Rand before retiring to her beautiful farm that extended from Louis Trichardt town up to the crest of the Soutpansberg. Her red-roofed house, Stonehenge, stands as a proud landmark upon the mountain platform above the golf course. The house itself was declared a National Heritage Site.

Education and literature remained Betty’s passion throughout her life. Upon retirement, she soon established Thanganezwa Farm School on the crest of the Soutpansberg where her farm borders Songozwi Village.  Not only has the school provided basic education for decades, but pupils will always remember the annual highlights, such as the bus excursions to memorable places such as Thulamela and Mapungubwe, and the Christmas celebrations, where Betty was not only the sponsor, but also guest of honour.

“We thank Betty’s friend, Mr Mahane, who has served as principal for many years, for his dedication to the school,” write Betty’s friends in a tribute to her.

Betty inspired and encouraged many people during her life. Her pupils will recall school plays and readings from, among others, Shakespeare and Dickens, in which fields of literature she was a recognised specialist.

Betty also encouraged her friends and supported the people who lived around her.

“We also want to thank them, and especially Mashudu Mudau, Robert, Samuel and Thakelani Kkodobo and Johannes Jantjie for their caring,” the tribute further states.

Betty sponsored the children of the families who lived on her farm in schooling and tertiary education. The family of Jim Chitango should be mentioned in particular. Jim accompanied Betty on her daily walk to school every day of her primary school career. Jim’s granddaughter, Mashudu Mudau, should also be particularly thanked for loyally caring for Betty for many many years, right to the end.

Betty also provided for the schooling and post-school education of Mashudu’s children and Mpho has, accordingly, found employment, Tshikidze is making good progress at university, and Given and Thabelo are passing their grades with success.

The children of Johannes Khodobo, whom many people will remember as Betty’s chauffeur, were also sponsored by Betty. His son Robert accompanied Betty on her regular visits to town and always delivered mealie meal and vegetables to Betty’s Thanganezwa School in the truck that Betty bought for the school. Johannes’s other children also received Betty’s financial support and encouragement for their schooling and studies. Lindiwe is at university, while Samuel and Thakelani are both nurses and have found employment through Betty’s support; Lawrence works at the SPCA, Edwin is at technicon, Victor is in training as a panelbeater, Tshanei is a hairdresser, and Langelani is still at school. These families express their sincere gratitude for the finances Betty provided for the education of their children.

Many will remember Betty as a loyal, supportive, encouraging and fun friend with a great sense of humour and a love for animals. They will remember her caring, honesty and generous heartedness, and the generous and untiring way in which she supported initiatives such as the SPCA. She was one of the founding members of the Louis Trichardt SPCA in 1986. It is therefore not surprising that she has left the bulk of her estate to animal charities.

“Most of all, Betty will be remember as a spirited and adventurous friend. It was this spirit that also took her too many local places that she loved and to remote parts of the world. We will remember the stories she related upon the return from her annual visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon where she attended the Shakespeare festival, and her stories about the Trans-Siberian train trip from St Petersberg to Moscow, and about cruises on ships such as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, and the flight on the Concorde from New York,” her friends write in the tribute.

“The friends whoaren’t mentioned by name know that Betty appreciated their love and attention. We thank you for your contribution and generosity,” they added and invited all to join them in remembering and celebrating Betty’s life at the Anglican Church in Munnik Street, Louis Trichardt on Thursday,  1 December, from 10:00. Refreshments will be served.