Andrew
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
In these times of continuously declining life expectancy, it is uncommon for one to become a centenarian.
Gogo Emily Mongo of Msengezi, Mashonaland West Province, is one of the few who are defying the odds and proving that age is nothing, but a number.
Born June 8, 1918, Gogo Mongo recently celebrated her 104th birthday at her family’s farm in Msengezi along with dozens of her offspring.
The centenarian, whose pristine appearance belies her age, has 10 children, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The wheelchair-bound granny believes she still has a long way to go and is determined to live even longer.
Gogo Mongo, an Anglican Church devotee, told The Sunday Mail that her longevity was a mystery.
She has seen multiple generations come and go, but remains determined to outlive many others.
“Living until this day is a mystery which I can’t even explain,” she said.
“I have seen many generations come and go. But the most important thing I have learnt about life is to live peacefully with others.
“If you are at peace with others, you will be at peace with yourself and you will live longer.” She also reckons her notoriously healthy diet, which largely consists of well-cooked traditional food, contributed significantly to her long life.
Throughout her life, she has had the determination and discipline to stay away from unhealthy processed foods.
“The other thing I have noticed with today’s generation is that they want to eat fast foods, which are not healthy,” she said. I like eating traditional food like derere (okra), roundnuts and sweet potatoes because this is the food we grew up eating and it has contributed to my good health.”
Recounting her youthful days, Gogo Mongo fondly narrated how she met her life-long sweetheart, her late husband Amos Mongo, during her school days.
The two lovebirds met at St Augustine’s High School in Penhalonga.
“I met Amos during those days and he later became my husband,” she recalled.
“I got married to Amos, who was a teacher, in 1944, and God blessed us with ten children. By that time we were staying in Gweru because my husband was working at St Matthews. I would spend most of my time in the fields because I was more interested in farming.”
She was to spend much of her adult life as a housewife, during which time she learnt the value of using one’s hands to provide for their family.
Her undying love for farming drew her family into relocating to the Msengezi farming community in 1949 after acquiring a farm. Gogo Mongo, who remains an animated storyteller even in old age, said God was the giver of long life.
“My wish is for everyone to have a good life, having everything they desire in life. Above all, I encourage people to seek God because he is the giver of life.”
Online Reporter