Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
WHILE death often brings grief and sorrow, the Zhokwe community chose a different path as they came together to celebrate the amazing life of Gogo Mthoyiwana Moyo, who reached the age of 114 before her passing.
Born in 1909 in Zhokwe, Gwanda, Gogo Moyo’s week-long illness, likely attributed to her old age, came to an end last Wednesday. On Monday, her community bid her farewell with a heartfelt burial at her homestead.
Gogo Moyo’s legacy extends beyond her age; she leaves behind a legacy of a large and loving family. She had six children, 34 grandchildren, approximately 338 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, spanning five generations.
Her fifth child, Enia Sibanda, reflected on the invaluable lessons from her mother, particularly the importance of hard work. Gogo Moyo was a dedicated farmer who provided for her family by selling her farm produce.
“My mother had six children, four girls and two boys. She was a hard worker and she instilled a culture of working hard amongst us as her children. She has left a huge gap in our lives but at the same time she has done her part. Before she passed on she was staying with me and I’m glad to have been by her side up until the time she departed,” she said.
For Gogo Moyo’s great-grandchild, Thabelani Sibanda, having her as part of their lives for such an extended period was an honour. She imparted wisdom that resonated across generations.
“The death of my great grandmother has left a huge gap for us as a family and even within the community. She was our shelter and a unifier of the family. We were very proud of her because there is no one in our community who has lived to reach the age of 114.
“Even though she has gone but she left us with valuable life lessons which we will always cherish. She educated us on the kind of lifestyle that we have to adopt in order to live a long and health life. She always emphasised the importance of humility, respect Ubuntu and living in peace with others,” he said.
Gogo Moyo’s cultural significance was profound; she was one of the few who could speak isiJahunda in their community, a testament to her connection to tradition and identity. Her family embraced traditional food, a practice she attributed to her longevity. Healthy eating was her secret to a long life, and she encouraged her descendants to follow suit.
Her legacy of wisdom and values will be cherished and passed down to future generations. Bishop John Pindi Moyo of the New Apostolic Church attested to her devotion to Christianity, highlighting her strong faith and love for church.
“Gogo Mthoyiwana Moyo is my aunt but she was also a member of my congregation. She loved church and laid a strong Christian background for her family. This the kind of lifestyle which we urge people to adopt. Whether young or old people should stand firm in the Lord,” he said.
Gwanda South Member of Parliament, Cde Omphile Marupi, recognised that Gogo Moyo’s passing wasn’t just a loss for her family but for the entire community. He said her age was a rarity, and her presence was a blessing. He stressed the need to learn from her lifestyle, particularly her dietary habits and her ability to live harmoniously with others.
“It’s not every day that you find someone who is 114 still living in the community. The number of people who are reaching 100 years is even dropping. Gogo Moyo was very special to us as a community. We can pick a number of lessons from her lifestyle such as her diet and how she lived with people. It’s important that we cherish, honour and respect the elderly within our communities. Having them among us is a huge blessing,” he said. — @DubeMatutu
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