adminBruce Ndlovu
A healthy lifestyle is usually a hard sell to youths who are obsessed with the now part of life and all its cheap thrills.
Thoughts about the longevity of life are not usually at the forefront of their minds, as the pleasures of today lull most into ill-advised recklessness.
However, some seem to find the right balance between living a pleasurable but ultimately long and fruitful life as they enjoy lifea��s delights while maintaining their health.
One such person is the mother of former Kukhulwa Kokuphelwa and Isithembo actor Agrippa Ngwenya, Lozulu Ngwenya, who passed away on 3 March at the ripe old age of 102.
Born on November 5 1914 in Entabeni Emnyama in Matopo, Gogo Ngwenya saw her six children with William Ngwenya produce 49 grandchildren, 102 great grandchildren and 18 great great grandchildren.
According to her grand-daughter and the child of her last born son, Sibonile Ngwenya, Gogo Ngwenya lived her life with a simple spirit while enjoying some of the countrya��s traditional delights.
a�?She took pleasure in preparing special foods and beverages and one of the things that she would do was prepare a special drink using amarula fruit. She knew that true joy was found in things that people usually take for granted,a�? she said.
Sibonile also disclosed that Gogo Ngwenya had also imparted on her offspring traditional customs that, although important, had got lost through the years.
a�?She would sit us down and tell us folktales that our children have unfortunately not had the pleasure of experiencing because their own parents have not managed to retain what they were taught,a�? she said.
Sibonile revealed that until the time of her death, Gogo Ngwenya was still relatively healthy before succumbing to a sudden heart condition.
a�?Whenever we took her to hospital doctors would be amazed that she could walk and stand on her own two feet. She was still strong and most of her vital organs were surprisingly still healthy for someone her age,a�? she said.
Online Reporter