Gogo Vho-Masindi Ratshitanga from Gulumbi was joined by relatives, friends, and local residents to celebrate her 100th birthday at a party that was held at the Muofhe Graceland Hotel in Thohoyandou on Saturday, 28 November.
Dignitaries from all around Vhembe were present to pay tribute to a woman who had devoted her life to the community and played such an important role in it.
Ratshitanga said that although she now walked with the aid of a walking stick, she was still strong and hoped to celebrate many more birthdays. She thanked everyone who had helped to organise the party for her, and God for blessing her with a long life.
"I can still speak well, eat pap and muroho (vegetables), mopani worms and fruits. I thank God I am still alive because many of my age are no longer here on earth; they have all passed away," said Ratshitanga. "I'm here today because it is the will of God. Without God, I wouldn't be celebrating my 100th birthday. Where there is God, there is life," she said.
Her daughter, Ms Thinawanga Ratshitanga, said people should just celebrate and enjoy life with their loved ones while they were alive, and that they were very thankful to be able to celebrate this momentous event with their mother. "Our mother is still a strong woman who loves her family very much. There is not a Sunday she misses going to church," she said.
Dr Tshifhiwa Muligwe of Rhema Kingdom Life at Tshifulanani said the celebration was truly a historic event. "A family needs senior citizens to provide wisdom," he said. He also thanked the family for not sending their mother to an old-age home, but that they had rather decided to live with her in the comfort of their home. "She is a member of the Rhema Kingdom Life and very outspoken about her love for God," Muligwe said.