The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
TRADITIONAL foods have kept her going.
She makes sure that dried vegetables, porridge with honey and peanut butter as well as traditional starches such as sadza rezviyo (finger millet) and other meals with nutritious goodness are part of her everyday menu.
Gogo Grace Munyebvu loves basking in the sun every morning as well as taking a walk around her house.
She has never tasted alcohol and she hates it with a passion.
Gogo Munyebvu recently turned 100.
She recently celebrated her birthday in style in the presence of over 150 people at Dangamvura High School, thanks to her grandchildren who made sure that the event was a resounding success.
People, including United Methodist Church Reverends Mavhiza and Musuruware of Dangamvura and Sakubva respectively, sung for her while others ululated as she cut the cake.
It was indeed a special day for the centurion.
Born on September 10, 1922 in Matendeudze Village in Chief Mutambara’s area of Chimanimani, Gogo Munyebvu is still as fit as a fiddle.
Every day she wakes up to some porridge, while some day she has bread with honey.
In the afternoon, she has sadza and dried vegetables (mufushwa).
The centurion poses for a picture with her eldest son, Mr Charles Munyebvu (left) and eldest grandson, Mr Anesu Munyebvu
When The Manica Post visited her at her daughter’s residence in Sakubva, she was watching television.
Elegantly dressed in a designer blue outfit, she welcomed the crew with a beaming smile and cracked a joke.
“You thought you would see an old worn out lady, right,” she said that before moving to another sofa, probably to show off her fitness.
She needed no interpreter or helper throughout the interview.
She has no hearing complications. Her speech is fine and clear.
Gogo Munyebvu would occasionally smile and laugh as she unpacked the secrets that has seen her reach a century.
“It is by the grace of God that l have reached this far.
“Back then, there were no grinding mills and we would spend the better part of the day in the fields and preparing millet and other traditional foods. We were hard workers and we would always make sure that we work on our health by exercising. Traditional meals remain a huge component of my diet.
“Mental health is also key for long life. Some people usually concentrate more on physical health without concentrating on mental wellness. It is also key to have a healthy relationship with God. God keeps us from all forms of the devil’s machinations. I never miss church services. My parents were so prayerful and that also kept us going.
“Talking of grace, we grew up going to church to feed our souls with the gospel. I was born in a family of seven.
“I can’t remember the number of my grandchildren but I know that they are many,” she said.
Gogo Munyebvu exchanged nuptial vows with her husband in the 1940s in Mutambara.
The couple was blessed with six children.
Sadly, she has lost two of her children and her eldest son, Mr Charles Munyebvu, is now 76.
Revisiting her courtship days, Gogo Munyebvu said her husband was charming.
“I was doing my laundry in Umvumvumvu River near Matsororo Bridge in Nhedziwa when he approached me. He was very eloquent and charming. It did not take long for me to be swept off my feet.
“Those days there were no phones so we would set appointments after meeting each other at particular places such as business centres or rivers. In this case, Umvumvumvu River was our rendezvous. The rest is history. Our love was built on a solid foundation and it never shook.
“Unfortunately, I lost him in 2014 and I recall the good old days we used to have. Those days people would respect their marriages and they would last longer. Although my parents drank beer, my husband and I never tasted any alcoholic beverages and we lived in peace.
“I urge young couples and those who intend to get married to respect their marriage vows by being submissive, respectful and honest towards each other.”
Gogo Munyebvu’s eldest grandchild, Mr Anesu Munyebvu, said the centurion has 82 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“She is rarely sick. She is as fit as a fiddle. We are really grateful to have her in our lives and we celebrate her everyday. She is an inspiration to many. She teaches us to pray and she enjoys going to church, although it is now difficult for her to walk to church every Sunday,” he said.
