Ninety candles for gogo Mphilo

Gogo Makwarela Mphilo experienced a delightful day as family members and friends joined her to celebrate her 90^th birthday at a party held at Tshiozwi on Saturday, 14 November.

According to one of the grandchildren, Tshifhiwa Mphelo, they had organised the party just to please their grandmother. “It was right to organise a party for her because she is where most people will never be. 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 grandmother as she loves us too,” said Mphelo.

Gogo Mphilo said her deteriorating eyesight was nothing, because her strong hearing and razor-sharp mind kept her days enjoyable. She remembers the old days when no schools, clinics, hospitals and roads were available. “We used to travel for long distances on foot because there were no cars,” Mphilo recalls. “The elders spent most of their time tilling the land for food, and young boys and girls like us were responsible for looking after the goats and cows.”

Mphilo said the secrets of her long life were 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 (listening to them) increased the days of our lives. I would like more generations to know about our times, although I believe that I will still live for many years to come. If you live a clean life, God will bless you and you will live long.”

Date:28 November 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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