Gogo Ramuedzisi celebrates 101st birthday

Gogo Munzhedzi Ramuedzisi celebrated her 101^st year in style, as her children and grandchildren had arranged a colourful birthday party for her at Madabani last Wednesday afternoon.

One of the children, Ms Elisa Makatu (73), told Limpopo Mirror that the aim of the party was to show Ramuedzisi that they really loved her. “We sat down and agreed to organise a party for her, because this is the right thing to show true love to her,” she said.

“We are what we are today because of her guidance,” she added. “It is good to pay tribute to a person while she is still alive, rather than to buy expensive things when he or she has died. We love our mother as she loves us too,” said Makatu.

Ramuedzisi was clearly impressed with the effort to celebrate her life. “Today I am a very happy person as my children showed me that they really and truly love me,” she said. She ascribed the secret of a long and happy life to eating healthy food and listening to the elders. “I have enjoyed fruit and vegetables throughout my life, and I have never tasted alcohol,” she 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,” said the gogo. She added that discipline contributed a lot to her life, and she avoided bad habits.

Ramuedzisi advised people to respect their parents, because then God will give them the strength to live long. “I thank God for caring for me and wish He would make me live even longer than this. My advice to the youth out there: avoid evil things and you will live longer,” she said.

Date:18 September 2020

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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