Two centenarians from the Elim area celebrated their recent birthdays with 27 other elderly residents, their families and friends during a special joint event organised by Elim Hlanganani for the Aged last Friday at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Waterval.
Elim Hlanganani for the Aged is a non-profit organisation focussed on taking care of the needs of orphans and vulnerable people.
Mukondeleli Mbangambanga of Tshuhari village near Elim turned 104 on 3 March this year and still leads a strong and busy life. She says that Home Affairs had made a mistake on her identity document and that her correct age was in fact 115 years. She had five children, of whom only two are still alive today, and is blessed with more than 20 grand- and great-grandchildren. With regard to food, she is still very selective about what she eats. "I do not eat food with lots of fats. I love traditional food and only eat chicken I saw being slaughtered, not frozen braai packs," she said.
Her last-born daughter, Mary Basket (62) who lives with her, shared her mother's biggest secret to her long life. "At home we know her as Mukondeleli (Patience) and her name goes hand in hand with her lifestyle. She's a strong woman who can face all kinds of situations and she's full of love. Some years back, she used to plough maize and other vegetables."
Mary said that her mother was still mobile at her age. "She lives a healthy lifestyle by exercising, and she still has all her teeth. Almost every day she takes a walk around the house, because now she's unable to exercise on top of her bed like she used to," she said jokingly.
Puledi Mabata of Pastoral village, not far from Elim, turned a full 100 years in February. She gives all the credit to God for her long life. "I feel great, and I thank God for his grace, which is still sustaining me. I have faith that I will grow older," she said.
Her grandson, Given Maboka, said that his grandmother did not sit on her hands at her age. "She's still a hardworking person who ploughs maize, peanuts, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. I can confidently say that she's a person with love. She still cooks and even walks to the spaza shop to do the shopping," he said.
More than 100 people attended the event, sponsored by various local retail shops, such as Elim Spar, Boxer, McDonald's, and many more. Young dancers entertained guests, performing the tshigombela, xibelani and the Mango Groove dances. The grannies all received gifts, including one big and two small cakes.
The director of Elim Hlanganani for the Aged, Molly Ameker, offered a word of encouragement to the youth who want to live a long and happy life. "We advise the youth to not eat too much junk food. They must go back to basics and get used to eating organic food and get lots of exercise," Ameker said.