Grandchildren, relatives and members of the communities from Phiphidi Maha and Ngovhela, just outside Thohoyandou, gathered in large numbers on Saturday, 30 May, to celebrate the 108th birthday of one of the area’s oldest residents.
Granny Muthuhadini Ramuedi, who was born on 12 March 1918 in Vhufuli village near Donald Fraser Hospital in the Ha-Tshivhase area, later married and moved to Phiphidi Maha. She was warmly welcomed at her surprise birthday celebration with loud ululations, clapping, singing and traditional Tshivenda and gospel songs as she made her way to the venue.
Ramuedi, who is still able to speak, see and walk with the aid of crutches, told the media that she would have been even happier had all her five children been present. She said some of her children had already died and were not able to witness one of the happiest days of her life.
Speaking to her grandchildren, relatives and well-wishers from Phiphidi and as far as Gauteng, she shared advice on longevity.
“If you want to live longer, you must stop drinking too much alcohol, stop coming home late from night outings, and avoid womanising. Nowadays, many people die young because they ignore the advice of elders when they are told to stop doing such things,” said Granny Ramuedi.
She also thanked God for keeping her alive at such an advanced age. She said she remains active, able to speak, cook and tend to her backyard vegetable garden, where she grows pumpkins, cabbage and spinach, while many people of her age have already died.
“For me, getting up every morning and working in my vegetable garden is part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I am still living and active like a young woman. I enjoy pap and mopani worms (mashonzha) and locusts (nzie), and I have never drunk alcohol, which I have seen destroying the future of young people,” she added.
Granny Ramuedi is also a devoted member of the New Zion Apostolic Church in Phiphidi Maha.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms Avhashoni Mulaudzi Thandavhathu described Granny Ramuedi as both a mother and father figure after the passing of her parents. She said Ramuedi raised and cared for the family and had always worked to unite relatives.
Mulaudzi Thandavhathu wished her grandmother many more years of life and said the family hoped to celebrate her 110th birthday in the future.
Granny Ramuedi has five children, of whom two are still alive. She has 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.