A South African man who asserted he was the world's oldest person has passed away from an asthma attack, mere hours after celebrating what he claimed was his 121st birthday.
A Life Claiming a Century and More
Jan Steenberg, known affectionately as Oom Jan, died on New Year's Day in the village of Colchester, located in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. He maintained that he was born on 31 December 1904, which would have made him the oldest living man globally. However, this claim has not been formally verified by Guinness World Records, which currently recognises Brazilian Joao Marinho Neto as the record holder.
During his long life, Steenberg worked in various roles, including as a grave digger, a fisherman, and a golf caddie. His life spanned monumental historical events, from two world wars and the apartheid era to the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
The Secrets to a Long Life
In a 2025 interview, Steenberg credited his faith for his remarkable longevity. "God is my oxygen and my saviour," he stated. Remarkably, he also admitted to being a lifelong smoker, having started at the age of 14. "Though I also smoke. I've been smoking since I was 14 - back then, I used to steal cigarettes," he revealed.
He also swore by a traditional herbal drink which he consumed almost daily, describing it as a kind of 'potion' that kept him healthy and clear-minded throughout his life.
A Beloved Family Man and Community Figure
Jan Steenberg was surrounded by his family when he died. He is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, as well as four dogs and a cat.
Family friend Michelle Brown noted that he received a special honorary award every year at the Senior Citizen of the Year Awards, simply because he was always significantly older than any other recipient. She remembered him as a humble and softly spoken gentleman.
He was known for his love of dancing at events, always dressing smartly in a hat and suit. An avid animal lover, Steenberg was also recognised for taking care of the dogs in his local community.
