Newlands East mourns 106-year-old 'Granny Alice' Fernandez, a beloved community icon

DURBAN'S Newlands East community is mourning the loss of 106-year-old Alice Joan Fernandez, affectionately known as 'Granny Alice', who passed away just a month before her 107th birthday.

Known for her remarkable health, wisdom, and love for community, the 'Queen of Newlands East' could read without glasses and was cherished by generations of locals

eThekwini Ward 11 councillor Alan Peterson broke the news of her death on his WhatsApp groups on Wednesday.

Peterson said, “One will miss her presence a lot, and knowing everything I fought for. I knew we had a 106-year-old who needed basic services,” he said.

Peterson said that she was always his motivation when that part of the area was affected, but most importantly, knowing that in his ward, members of the community like her needed basic services from the municipality.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the Fernandez family. She could still read a newspaper without glasses and sing you a song. She had so much knowledge and wisdom and loved the community, especially the children of the community. May her precious soul rest in peace,” he said.

During a previous interview with Fernandez, she shared wisdom, when she said: “Live life being happy and do not be sorrowful.”

Fernandez was proud that, despite her age, she could still read a novel and watch television without using glasses. She also expressed her love and gratitude to her family and grandchildren.

‘I’m Sitting on Top of the World’, an Aretha Franklin track, which was released in 1962, was one of her favourite songs.

Fernandez had five daughters, of whom two have passed on, 19 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren. 

Fernandez was born in Durban and grew up at St Philomena’s Children’s Home on the Berea.

She lived on Sydenham Road with her parents, and then when she married, she went to live in Booth Avenue in Sydenham, before moving to Newlands East in 1979.

In her youth, she worked in a clothing factory before joining her father, Nelson, in his tailor shop, A.S. Fernandez, on Pine Street – now renamed Monty Naicker Road.

Shaeida Daniels, a community member, described Fernandez as the Queen of Newlands East.

“I was shattered. However, she is in a better place and is smiling down on us. We say farewell to our Queen of Newlands East. We are broken, and you will be truly missed by many. I am glad I got to see you hold you and hear you sing, that you loved so much and share your beautiful stories,” she said.

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