Local resident, Henia Bryer, celebrated her 100th birthday during December. Having survived the Holocaust, reaching such an age is a great act of resistance against the Nazis’ aim of eradicating the world of Jews.
Born in Poland, Henia survived the Radom Ghetto, the notorious Plaszow camp (known more widely through its depiction in the movie Schindler’s List), Majdanek, Auschwitz, and the Death March to Bergen-Belsen. After the War, she lived in France and Israel, and later settled in South Africa with her husband. She has two sons and a number of grandchildren.
In addition to celebrations with her family, a birthday party in her honour was hosted by the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre (CTHGC). Local Member of Parliament Michael Bagraim led the birthday wishes, while the founder of the CTHGC, Myra Osrin, spoke of the connection that Henia has with the Centre.
A film of Henia’s interview with Holocaust historian Dr Stephen Smith, filmed in 1998, was shown at the party, and Dr Smith congratulated Henia on her milestone birthday at the end of the video.
Members of the public who are interested in knowing more about Henia’s Holocaust experiences can view extracts of the video at the CTHGC in the documentary Testimony, which has been part of the permanent exhibition since 1999.
You can also view Testimony on the CTHGC’s YouTube page here.


Henia Bryer in the front, flanked by her two sons, Alan and Danny. Many other family members joined in for the celebrations