Chronicle Editor
Problem Masawu
Volumes of books on how to live long have been written, tips have been shared, yet many people die at a relatively tender age.History has it that in their search for long life, ancient Chinese rulers decided to eat heated metal and the results were disastrous.Mankind have been searching for keys to long life for many centuries with little or no success. Some have made millions of dollars selling substances that they purport increase longevity.
Is there any secret to long life?
In May this year President Mugabe, who is 89, shared tips on how he had managed to live long despite his hectic schedule of leading the country.
“People should go to the doctors and have medical check-ups constantly maybe every month but not more than six months, as you must have checked up on your blood pressure, heart condition, etc,” President Mugabe said.
“Kufa kunofiwa asi zvimwe zvirwere zvinogona kudzivirirwa (Yes, there is death, but some diseases can be prevented) if you have constant medical check-ups. You can ask Dr (David) Parirenyatyatwa (former minister of Health and Child Welfare), he can confirm it.
“Inini (Me), I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning and I do some exercises and I also go to the doctor for medical check-ups. Let’s have medical check-ups. The flesh and muscle might be weak because of age and if you allow yourself to be lazy unotochembera (you will get old),” said the President.
“When you get old, you resort to vegetables, that will be your diet. We ate a lot of meat, bones, tripe when we were growing up.”
“That’s how we should live because that is what the doctors advise),” he said.
This week, Saturday Lifestyle spoke to some senior citizens who concurred with President Mugabe saying a good lifestyle was key to longevity. Ambuya Mavis Matema, who was born in 1939, said traditional food and a healthy lifestyle was the secret of her long life.
“When we were growing up there were less diseases. We would eat healthy food without many oils like what we eat today. Our children are dying early because they consume toxic substances like Zed (illicit beer),” she said.
She added that infidelity contributed to early demise. “Though the body can resist for some time because of medication when attacked by sexual diseases, there comes a time when it says no. People are dying young because they cannot be faithful to one sexual partner,” she said.
Sekuru Pedzisai Kawome, who was born in 1925 in rural Zimuto, said traditional herbs he grew up eating contributed to his long life.
“The sorghum porridge was mixed with muti and this helped me to be strong. Unlike our children who spend most of their time watching TV. We grew up exercising through herding goats. One is constantly on his feet when herding a goat. This was a good exercise,” he said.
Sekuru Kawome said wild fruits also contributed to people’s good healthy. “The doctors always say fruits and vegetables are healthy. I always make it a habit to eat fruits. I think vegetables should be well cooked. The problem with our children is that they just grease the vegetables and this cause heart diseases and increases the chance of stroke,” he said.
Ambuya Elizabeth Murwira (76) had this to say: “Ini kugeza ndokunoita ndive neupenyu hurefu (I look after myself well). Many people tell me I look younger than my age because I am always on the mirror,” she said.
She, however, said to some long life was hereditary. “Some people are just blessed with genes of long life. I know of a family with five family members who are above 70 years,” she said.
Online Reporter