Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
THE usually quiet homestead in Kosihlola, Malaba, Matobo, will come alive on June 27 as family, neighbours and friends gather for a rare and remarkable celebration — the 100th birthday of Gogo Agnes Ncube, fondly known as Gogo MaKhabo.
For many in the community, the occasion is not just about marking a milestone age. It is about honouring a woman whose life has touched generations through hard work, strong values and a deep sense of family. As the mother of the late sungura music legend Ndux Malax and grandmother to artiste Ndux Malax Jnr, her story also carries a rich cultural and musical legacy.
Born on June 21, 1926, Gogo MaKhabo has lived through a century of change. From a time when life depended on manual labour and close-knit communities to the modern world, she has remained a steady influence within her family and beyond. Her extended family is organising the celebration as a tribute to her resilience and the role she has played as a matriarch.
Over the years, Gogo MaKhabo built a large and strong family. She raised 11 children — six boys and five girls — and today her legacy continues through 43 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. For her family, these numbers are more than statistics; they are a clear sign of a life that has been full, active and rooted in care for others.
Those closest to her describe her as a woman guided by hard work, faith and Ubuntu — values that she has consistently passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her daughter, Sijabulisiwe Ncube, remembers a mother who never rested when there was work to be done.
“She would be up at 5AM tending the fields, weeding, ploughing, protecting crops from livestock and birds. At home she crafted mats and ingcebethu,” said Ncube.
Even at 100, her family says Gogo MaKhabo remains mentally and physically alert, something they find both inspiring and comforting.
“Even now she finds ways to stay active. Her eyesight, hearing and memory are still sharp. She remains a bridge through which younger generations hear our family and ancestral stories.”
This role as a “bridge” is one the family values deeply. In many homes, such connections to the past are slowly fading, but for the Ncubes, Gogo MaKhabo continues to keep history alive through storytelling and daily guidance.
According to Sijabulisiwe, the lessons their mother shared were never complicated, yet they have shaped the family in lasting ways.
“Her teachings have always centred on Ubuntu and she encourages us to love one another, help each other and remain united. That is what guides our faith and togetherness.”
This emphasis on unity and care has helped the family remain close despite its size. It is also a message they hope will be carried forward by the younger generations attending the celebration.
For her son, Obert Ncube, memories of his mother are closely tied to important moments in the family’s history — including one that changed the course of Zimbabwean music. He recalls the day his late brother, Ndux Malax, performed his first live show in 1984 in Malundu Village, Sigangatsha.
“That moment marked the beginning of his public musical journey and remains a defining family milestone,” he said.
Music has always been part of the family’s life. Gogo MaKhabo’s late husband, Sihlola Malaba, was a folk musician and an ingungu player. It was in this environment that Ndux Malax developed his talent and passion for music.
Obert shares that his mother was always proud of her son’s gift, often expressing her joy in simple but heartfelt words.
“She would say, ‘uyamuzwa ngumntanami uVery Good, madoda!’ Even today when his songs play on the radio, she smiles and sings along with pride” Obert said.
These moments reflect not only her pride as a mother but also her deep connection to music as part of the family’s identity.
The centenary celebration itself is being organised by her grandson, Lwazi Ncube, who says it is a collective effort by the entire family. For him, the most meaningful part of the event is the coming together of different generations.
“It’s a united family effort and the most meaningful part is seeing four generations come together to honour her. As the eldest person under Chief Malaba, she’s also respected across the community,” he said.
The event will have a strong cultural and musical focus, in keeping with the life Gogo MaKhabo has lived. Guests can expect traditional performances, including ingungu, as well as a performance by Ndux Malax Jnr, who regularly takes part in family gatherings.
Lwazi believes that his grandmother’s influence goes beyond her immediate family and is reflected in the music of her late son.
“His song Unity, inspired by the ZANU/ZAPU unity accord, promoted national togetherness. Through that music, his voice continues to reflect the values Gogo stands for,” he said.
In this way, her legacy lives on not only through family traditions and teachings, but also through the wider cultural impact of her son’s work.
Asked to sum up what his grandmother’s 100 years represent, Lwazi chooses words that speak to both her character and her lasting influence.
“Gogo Agnes Ncube’s life reflects hard work, deep faith, cultural strength and a legacy that continues to shape generations.”
As the family prepares to celebrate this rare milestone, they say their biggest hope is that younger people will take something meaningful from the occasion. They want them to leave with a sense of pride in who they are, where they come from and the values that have kept the family strong for a century. In a fast-changing world, they believe these lessons are more important than ever.
The celebration on June 27 will not just be about marking 100 years of life. It will be about honouring a journey, recognising a legacy and reminding everyone present that strength lies in unity, culture and love.
For Gogo MaKhabo, it will be a moment surrounded by generations she helped shape — a living testament to a life well lived.
More life, Gogo.
