Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
THE air in Epworth hums with anticipation, not just for Valentine’s Day, but also for something deeper, something timeless.
The scent of jasmine mingles with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cakes, a familiar prelude to the annual “Couples’ Fellowship” at the Methodist Church.
Here, nestled among the vibrant chitenge cloth and warm smiles, are stories etched in time — love stories that whisper secrets of enduring commitment.
Two couples, Sekuru Andrew (79) and Gogo Lennie Chalete (72); and Sekuru Nailube (75) and Gogo Letty Julias (70), prepare to share their journeys. Their lives are perhaps a testament to the enduring power of love.
Sekuru Andrew, his hands gnarled with age but his eyes still sparkling with affection, remembers a courtship different from today’s whirlwind romances.
“It was not like what these young people do now. Three, four months it took, travelling back and forth from Epworth to Seke, just to hear her say ‘yes’. No instant messaging, just good old-fashioned courting,” he chuckles with a deep rumble in his chest.
Gogo Lennie, her face a road map of life’s joys and sorrows, recalls those days with a soft smile.
“Girls in those days, we were taught respect. No touching, no holding hands, until the lobola was paid. It was tradition,” she said.
She remembers the flutter in her stomach when her “boy”, Andrew, would arrive, the shy glances exchanged under the watchful eye of his sister, Enia Maumbe, a teacher who played Cupid in their story.
“Enia, she helped him. She saw something between us and she nurtured it,” continued Gogo Lennie.
Their wedding in 1971, a culmination of patience and tradition, was a grand affair.
The vibrant colours of their traditional attire contrasted sharply with the pristine white of Gogo Lennie’s dress in their church wedding years later. And then there was the blue costume.
“Andrew bought it for me, a blue costume for Valentine’s Day. I still remember the shade. It was special,” she added.
Today, 54 years later, their Valentine’s Day is a quiet affair.
Sekuru Andrew Chalete and Gogo Lennie Chalete
“Gogo makes my favourite chicken stew. Nothing fancy but it tastes like love,” Sekuru Andrew said, his eyes softening with affection.
Seven children, 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren are a testament to their love.
And the couple thanks God for everything. Across the aisle, Sekuru Nailube and Gogo Letty Julias share their story.
Their courtship began not in a bustling marketplace or a trendy café but by a humble borehole in Beatrice.
“We lived close by; just a river between our homes. We would meet at the borehole, fetching water. That is where I started my campaign,” said Sekuru Nailube with a mischievous smile.
Gogo Letty sheds more light on the “campaign” process.
“He was persistent, but I was afraid. We were taught that if a man you are not married to touches you . . .” she trails off, a shiver running down her spine.
“It was a different time. Tradition was everything.”
Her father had warned her about truck drivers.
“He thought they were crooks,” she said with a giggle.
But the handsome Nailube was different. Driving was prestigious then. It was a rare skill, a sign of something special.
And Sekuru Nailube, it turned out, had a soft spot for “mid-complexioned and well-rounded women”, a thing he admitted.
Their relationship blossomed quickly after Letty finally agreed in 1973.
“We got married soon after. We did not waste any time,” said Sekuru Nailube.
For them, every day is Valentine’s Day.
However, they cherish gatherings with other couples; this provides a chance to celebrate love in all its forms.
They believe love is sacred and needs respect, understanding and a lot of tolerance. Gogo Letty adds: “And everyone has their role to play. If everyone does their part, there will be peace and harmony.”
They both believe in defined roles within a relationship, not out of inequality, but out of respect for each other’s strengths and contributions.
For the elderly couple, love is not for show.
Reverend Dr Josias Mudenda, the Methodist Church superintendent for the Epworth Circuit, said: “These couples are a treasure. They are a living example of what love and commitment truly mean.”
“But things are so different now. Social media has changed everything. Young people meet online, they date online, some even get married online, without ever truly knowing each other.”
He is worried about the erosion of traditional values.
“Our elders used to guide us. They would observe our relationships, offer advice and help us choose the right partner. That wisdom was invaluable,” he added.
The reverend implored young people to reconnect with their roots.
