The Resilient and Enigma of Swelekile Maphosa at 110

Living beyond 100 years is a precious gift, a rarity and a blessing that is enjoyed by a few globally.

In the modern era, the number of individuals reaching a century is scarce, a sharp contrast to the times depicted in the Bible when centenarians were many.

Methuselah, Noah’s grandfather, stood as a testament to extraordinary longevity, living for a staggering 969 years. The first human, Adam, destined for eternal life, saw his existence come to a close at the age of 930. The Bible talks of many people that lived for more than 100 years and these include Sarah, the wife of Abraham, who died at the age of 127 years.

In the heart of this narrative lies Swelekile Maphosa, a venerable woman on the cusp of turning 111, having reached the impressive age of 110. Her life, however, carries an emotional ache; no family, relative, or friend remain to commemorate her remarkable journey. Born on December 12, 1912, in Tsholotsho, Maphosa now resides at Chinotimba Old People’s Home in Victoria Falls with 10 other inmates.

A decade ago, at the age of 100, Maphosa became a resident of this home. Despite the passage of time, her eyesight remains sharp, allowing her to tend to her surroundings with diligence. Although her ability to walk and stand has waned, her determination has not faltered.

Maphosa’s life changed for the better when the Roman Catholic Bishop for Hwange, Emeritus Albert Serano, intervened. He brought her from Chikandakubi in rural Victoria Falls to the Old People’s Home.
Maphosa who had turned blind, underwent surgery in neighbouring Zambia which restored her sight.

Despite her remarkable vigour and cheerful disposition, dementia is now affecting her recollections. Her recollection of the past which was once vivid, is now blurred. Her birthplace, Makotsha in Tsholotsho, her father Hlangulani’s reluctance to send her to school, her marriage to Amon of Sesheke in Zambia and her role as a second wife in Jambezi, is what she still recalls.

The names of her children — George, Nenge, and Christopher also linger amid these reminiscences.
When the news crew recently visited the Home, they found Maphosa sitting under the shade of a tree holding a broom. She insists on picking up litter and sweeping her surroundings despite her advanced age.

Every visitor she greets as kin, extending warmth and curiosity and asks if they are not “ikasayi.” No one, including the home management, knows what ikasayi means.

“I am Maphosa. My father died and my mother died here. I am the only one surviving, my young sister and my eldest son died too. His name is George and he died in a fight. I am from Tsholotsho,” said Maphosa.

She said she misses going to church as she cannot walk because of her age. She also fractured her thigh a few years ago and since then she cannot walk.

“I once stayed in Jambezi where I was married to SaBoy, uSaNenge. I was his second wife, the first one being MaNdlovu,” she said.

Chinotimba Old People’s Home was opened in the late 1970s and is run by the Chinotimba Association for the Destitute and Aged (Chada) supported by both the Victoria Falls City Council and the Social Welfare Department.
Maphosa is the eldest at the home while the youngest is 64.

The home’s board member James Nyoni said Maphosa has no health issues and neither does she take any medication nor have a special diet.

“She is from Tsholotsho but her ID bears Hwange credentials. All we know about her is that she got married to a Zambian man in Sesheke and had children there. We couldn’t trace her family or anyone who knew her. She said her husband was late and she always mentioned Nenge and Christopher who she said were her children.

“She came here in 2012 and was brought by Hwange Bishop Emeritus Albert Serano from Chikandakubi. When she arrived at the home she was blind and with the help of some well-wishers the home took her to Zambia for treatment and she regained her sight,” said Nyoni.

He said Maphosa knows most parts of Zimbabwe as she would talk about different places.
She loves sweeping and each time she is outside she will be carrying a broom to sweep and pick litter around her. Nyoni said they bath Maphosa and other inmates in the morning before they go out.

“Once we wake up in the morning, we immediately bath her because once she is outside no one can take her for a bath.

She has no known health issues although she once fractured a hip. She doesn’t take any medication and has no special diet as she eats anything we prepare for her,” said Nyoni.

The home has 11 inmates, six men and five women. Some Roman Catholic Priests from the nearby St Kizito Parish used to visit Maphosa every Sunday to give her holy communion.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda recently visited the home and posed for a picture with the inmates including Maphosa.

He called for the exemption of elderly people and pensioners from paying for water and electricity saying they must enjoy free social services during their last days. –@ncubeleon