Mrs Freda Waygood has officially danced her way into triple digits!
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (02 September 2026) – Woodgrove Retirement Village in Howick is celebrating a century of one of its most active community members, Mrs Waygood, as she dances into her centenary milestone!
In August, the retirement village marked the very special 100th birthday occasion.
Mrs Freda Waygood was born in Kensington, London, in 1926. Her love for music started when she was a young girl. At seven, she had already learned to play the violin. She then expanded into the world of dance before becoming a teacher in physical education.
“Freda became involved with the English Folk Dance and Song Society and after the 2nd World War she studied teaching, specialising in Physical Education.” shares the village.
As an adult, after the Second World War, Freda moved to Cape Town, where she would pursue the first chapter in her South African career as a folk dancer. It was there that she met her husband Paul. The couple then moved to Pietermaritzburg where they had their son, Chris.
There, Mrs Waygood resumed her career in teaching phys-ed in the Capitol, which lasted for more than 60 years!
Past learners from Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, Russell High School, Longmarket Girls’ School, Linpark High School and Epworth School, as well as at the Teachers Training College, may remember Mrs Waygood’s warm presence. As a lover of music, she was also involved with the Pietermaritzburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
Now in her golden years, Mrs Waygood is still active with her life-long passions. She keeps the Woodgrove residents on their feet!
“Freda is a very active resident in the Woodgrove Village community and runs a weekly Stretch and Movement class for the residents and staff.”
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“Congratulations to Freda Waygood for this milestone and we look forward to many more celebrations in the years to come.”
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