On Tuesday, Western Cape MEC for Social Development Albert Fritz, visited Delft resident Fredie Blom, who is believed to be the world’s oldest man. Blom celebrated his 114th birthday on the day.

Born in 1904 in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, all his senses are still razor sharp. Blom is married to Jeanette, 31-years his junior, who says her husband is still a good dancer despite his age.

He still has sharp vision, he can hear well and doesn’t even need a walking stick to get around.

Speaking to IOL, Blom attributed his longevity to respecting people and regular exercise.

“I am this age today because I respect people. In the old days we did not eat everything, like it is today. I take regular exercise by going to the shops instead of sending other people. Today is special, I feel honoured,” said Blom to IOL.

“It is rare for anyone to live this long, and I thank God for taking care of me all these years. I have survived many challenges and experienced difficulties all these years,” he said.

Fredie Blom had five birthday cakes, including one from Charly’s Bakery (Source: Twitter)
People even created posters of Fredie to celebrate his birthday (Source: Twitter)

He has not yet been verified by the Guinness World Records, as the oldest man alive in the world, but it is safe to say he is the oldest man alive in South Africa.

According to the Guiness World Records, Masazo Nonaka, a 112-year-old from Japan, was named the “oldest living person (male)” on April 10. Nonaka was exactly 112 years and 259 days old.

“Mr Nonaka was born on 25 July‚ 1905 – just two years after the Wright Brothers celebrated the first power-driven flight and just months before Einstein published his special theory of relativity‚” the article read. “He has six brothers and one sister and his already large family grew further after he married Hatsuno in 1931‚ going on to have five children with her.”

Picture: Twitter

Article written by

Nidha Narrandes is a food-obsessed travel addict with 21 years of journalism experience. Her motto - Travel. Eat. Repeat. She is happiest on a road to nowhere without a plan. A masterchef at home, she can't do without chilli - because chilli makes the world a tastier place.