KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna's very own living legend, Margaret Parkes, celebrates her 100th birthday on 21 June.
Born in 1925, Parkes (née Fraser) has borne witness to a century of change, community and cherished memories.
Her roots in Knysna run deep - the daughter of Scottish immigrants Donald John and Ellen Aitken Fraser, Margaret grew up in a town where ox-wagons still rumbled down Main Road and children picnicked in the forest via the Coffee Pot train.
Parkes was educated in Knysna and Port Elizabeth, matriculating at just 16 before studying at Rhodes University - a rarity for women of her era.
She later obtained her National Domestic Science Teacher's Certificate from the Cape Technical College in 1947.
After marrying Bernard Parkes and raising two sons, George and Jim, Margaret turned her boundless energy toward preserving and sharing Knysna's history - a journey that began in earnest following her husband's passing 43 years ago.
Her passion for the past led to the creation of numerous treasured publications. Memories of Knysna, co-authored with Vicky Williams and Sue Allanson, is a rich tapestry of stories from 60 local contributors.
Its success led to More Memories of Knysna, followed by Knysna's Forgotten Port, which chronicled the rise and fall of the town's maritime heritage.
Over the years, Parkes wrote 13 books and numerous historical pamphlets, covering everything from sawmilling and churches to the Anglo-Boer War's impact on the region.
Her work on the centenary of the Knysna Municipality in 1982 stands out as a milestone of historical research and community pride.
A tireless contributor to local life, Parkes played vital roles in the Friends of the Knysna Library, the Millwood Museum, the Knysna Yacht Club, St George's Church and TS Knysna Sea Cadets.
She was the first curator of the old Millwood Museum and wrote 65 issues of its newsletter. Thanks to her efforts, the Knysna Library houses a rare Africana collection and comprehensive archive of local literature.
Her lifelong dedication has earned her some of the highest accolades:
• The Molteno Medal from the Cape Tercentenary Foundation (2000)
• Simon van der Stel Foundation Certificates of Recognition (1994, 2012)
• Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award (2007)
• Sanlam Lifetime Achievement Award
• Knysna High School 'Oscar' for Growing Old Gracefully (2002)
Her life motto, inherited from her mother - 'Rise above it and don't complain' - is perhaps the quiet secret to her century of strength, grace and purpose.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
