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A senior citizen, Mr Andries Netshifhefhe (middle, in front of the cake), is flanked by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, children and family members during his 103rd birthday party.

Vleifontein resident celebrates 103 years

 

A local senior citizen, Mr Andries Tshamulingwana Netshifhefhe, celebrated his 103rd birthday with family and friends at Vleifontein on Saturday.

He was born on 8 September 1909 at Tshifhefhe. He is experiencing hearing problems, but he has not yet lost his sight.

“Growing old is like going back to childhood, but I am still feeling healthy and strong. I always look good and healthy because my grandchildren are not abusing me. They are doing everything for me,” he said. Some days, when he is feeling extremely healthy, Netshifhefhe can walk from his room to the kitchen without using a cane.

A family member, Ms Meriam Mudau, said they had organised the party to show their grandfather that they loved him. "This is a way of showing appreciation to senior citizens. Because I don't want to see him suffer, I took him to come and stay with me in my house, together with my grandchildren,” said Mudau.

She added that the idea of honouring Mr Netshifhefhe came after the children and grandchildren decided that they needed to surprise him as a sign of paying homage to him. "It is good to pay tribute to a person while he is still alive, rather than to buy expensive things when he or she has died,” she added.

"A family who does not have senior citizens lacks advice as they provide wisdom," said Mudau. "When we were young, we used to travel for long distances on foot because there were no cars," said Netshifhefhe. “The elders spent most of their time tilling the land for food, and young boys and girls were responsible for looking after the goats and cows," he said.

"We spent most of the time playing indigenous games and that kept our bodies strong. There were certain taboos that the elders told us not to do, and I believe that increased the days of our lives."

He remembers the old days, when there were no schools, clinics, hospitals and roads. "I would like more generations to know about our times, although I believe that I will still live for many years to come,” he added.

He also provided Limpopo Mirror with his recipe for a long and blessed life: “If you live a clean life, God will bless you and you will live long. Respect your elders and preserve your culture. Eat healthy food and distance yourself from alcohol,” he said.

Mr Netshifhefhe is a member of the Zion Christian Church and is outspoken about his love for God. "I'm here today because of the will of God. Without God, I wouldn't be celebrating my 103rd birthday. Where there is God, there is life," he explained.

He has five children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

 

Date:14 September 2012

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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