A century, not out

Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in Gutu Lifestyle Writer
Methuselah broke the record and in spite of all the money that the Americans and other nations are pouring into gerontology, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to match the longevity of the Bible characters.
Life expectancy in the world is currently below six decades in most countries with HIV, traffic accidents and non-pandemic diseases likely to take you out before you hit 60. So there is all the reason for one centurion to celebrate all the time he has been given on earth.

Kwangware Tyavambiza of Muvheyi Chimedza Village, Gutu, recently celebrated his 100th birthday at an occasion that not only became the talk of the moment but also attracted village heads, accountants, economists and fashionistas who were keen to witness this momentous occasion.

Tyavambiza was born on September 11, 1914 at Chipara in Gutu. The birthday boy celebrated in typical ‘‘style’’ as he dressed to kill, wearing a black designer suit, blue shirt, black tie and a matching hat.

His three-tiered birthday cake was of a far better than some items that one sees at some weddings. The message on the blue and white confection was simple enough; ‘‘Happy Birthday VaJimkoro’’.

The cutting of the cake was done with the assistance of his wife of many years, as some of his 20 children, 67 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren watched together with family members, friends, relatives and other guests.

It has not all been plain sailing for the man. He has had to live with the pain of burying many of his own offspring. But for the celebration day, it was all joy and jubilation.

Guests were treated to some comedy by Nigel Muyambo, son to John ‘‘Chibhodhoro’’ Muyambo, before feasting on a beast slaughtered for the occasion.
The invited guests were dressed formally, matching the well decorated venue and were eager to catch a glimpse of the “birthday boy” as he strutted his physique that belies his age. Local and imported drinks were all over the show. Many of the villagers said they had not expected such a classy event in their dusty rural home area.

“I am shocked to see such an event. In fact Harare has come to Gutu,” enthused one villager. Takawira Tyavambiza, son of the centurion and organiser of the celebrations, said a lot of planning went into the party which started on Friday and ended in late hours of Saturday.

“It was a fiesta and we saw it fit to throw a birthday bash for him, with a typical setting of Harare style. He is our celebrated hero. For his birthday I gave him a house that I built for him. All the while he thought it was mine,” he said

Tyavambiza’s story of longevity reminded many of that of the late former South African president, Nelson Mandela, who lived long. Closer  home, his tale bears a striking resemblance to that of President Robert Mugabe who is still as fit as a fiddle at 90.

With a spring in his step, Tyavambiza is still agile, something which he attributes to his unwavering faith in God, as well as a fitness regimen that involves walking every morning.

“With God everything is possible, and it is not through my wisdom alone that I am still alive to this age and day. Have you ever asked yourself why some characters in the Book of Wisdom (The Bible) lived longer and when you read about them today, you are shocked that they lived for up to that age? It is a fact, not fiction, that you can survive longer if you obey God and avoid some vices that cut short your life,” explained the centurion.

A builder by profession, Tyavambiza said eating the right diet was also important in perpetuating one’s age.
He attained a ‘‘Building Certificate’’ and ‘‘Master Farmer’s Certificate’’. His sons say that at the time he got the latter it was equivalent to a PHD for Africans.

“In the Bible, people relied on healthy foods like milk, honey, game meat, certain roots and vegetables that are found in the wild. These traditional foods are good for your health and they enhance your longevity. I am glad that I have a wife who understands the importance of these food types and she has been very faithful in making sure that together with our family we consume these,” he said.

Now Tyavambiza loves to eat sadza with peanut butter sauce which is traditionally a food favoured by those with gaps in their teeth. Not that there is anything with his dentistry. He was delighted to show off his teeth which are still intact.

“Many youths today have their teeth missing because they wrongly believe in the idea that, bhuru rinowonekwa nemavanga (battles scars prove that you are a he-man) which is a wrong idea altogether. It is not toothpaste alone that helps you keep your teeth in place, but also the way you conduct and behave yourself in public.”

Tyavambiza who is affectionately known as ‘‘Jimkoro Bhiridha Munhuasingasvodesi’’ also witnessed the war of Chimurenga and survived it unscathed.
He attributes this to the protection and guidance they got from his daughter who was a spirit medium who could always predict the movements of the enemy.
He still remembers the names of his father and mother – Chiminya Tyavambiza and Mahosi Musara.

His wife, Otillia Tyavambiza (70), said her husband’s job as a builder helped him to keep fit.
“Apart from the sadza and dovi, his job also helped in keeping him fit. I help him to bath early morning and sometimes he goes by himself to the Chinyudza River to bath himself. He loves the sun and enjoys taking a walk,” she said.

She said he also loves to eat sweet things too and loves to sleep three hours in the afternoon. Otillia, who was the second wife after the first died, said her husband faced challenges of children dying at an early age.

“He married Margaret Sedeya and had 10 children and between them were four children who died in their infancy. Currently, there are three surviving, Richard, Mary and Appronia. He then remarried me and I bore him 10 Children namely Erneres, Eunice, Andrew, Jacob, Rachael, Crescentia Nyarai (late), Eustina, Rumbidzai, Tyavambiza- Takawira and Chomunorwa,” she said.

Interestingly Otillia went to school together with her husband’s first child Richard (76) who said his father’s other secret to longevity is love. Although all his offspring are all grown up, he still fathers them.

“He is a man of love. He always counsels us,” said Richard.
Of the 20 children born to him, 14 are still alive.

The birthday boy’s name Tyavambiza is a combination of two Shona words, tyava (disciplinary tool) and mbizi (zebra), meaning Tyavayembizi.
It was because of the speed that he displayed during their hunting trips that earned him the name.