54 years in marriage still going strong at 98

Khulu Mtshiphela Masuku and his wife Eunice Masuku

MARRIED for 54 years and still counting, Mr Mtshiphela Masuku, says a stable home and a loving wife are the reasons why he managed to live for close to a century after he celebrated his 98th birthday at his Mpopoma home on Sunday.

Surrounded by family, friends and neighbours, the elderly Bulawayo resident marked the milestone event and shared fun.

Born on September 7, 1927, in Fort Rixon Matabeleland South Province, Mr Masuku lived through the Second World War, multiple pandemics, the country’s fight for independence from colonial rule as well the Land Reform Programme among other important historical events.

He is a retired bus driver, who left the public transport business at the age of 77 in 2004.

“My grandfather was born on the 7th of September 1927 in Fort Rixon and got his class four driver’s licence in March 1955, before upgrading to a class one in August 1959.

“He was a bus driver at Shu-Shine Bus Company and left the company in 1996. He also worked part time for several bus companies including Bafana-Bafana, Dubies, Batanai and Sihube until around 2004 when he finally retired from driving buses,” said his grandson, Mr Khumbulani Moyo.

“He is still in a good health condition and lives with my 70 year old grandmother. We decided to have a birthday party to celebrate his 98th birthday to show how we love and appreciate him as the head of the Masuku family.”

Mr Masuku thanked his wife Mrs Eunice Masuku, for standing by him for all these years since the couple married on March 3, 1971.

“My wife has been on my side for the last 54 years and has always been my pillar of strength. We are devout Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) and I believe that the grace of God has kept me alive and in good health for all these years,” said Mr Masuku.

Mrs Masuku said she first met her husband when he worked as a conductor in the late 1960s and the couple married shortly after.

“We had six children but unfortunately, we lost three. I have been married to ukhulu for over 50 years and do not remember a day that we went to bed angry at each other,” she said.

“We respect each other as a married couple and make decisions together.

“We have five grandchildren and one great grandchild and I’m happy that they are here to witness their grandfather celebrating his birthday.

“We wish him many more years to come and that he keeps his place as the head of the Masuku family for more years.”