The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
AS soon as Gogo Julia Bvuma Madondo (105) was introduced to her visitors from The Manica Post by her daughter, Ms Evelyn Madondo, she quickly warned us that she has a motor-mouth.
It soon became evident that she indeed has a lot to say.
The moment she opens her mouth, she simply cannot stop talking.
For someone who has been around for the past 105 years, she has a lot to say.
“I know that I talk too much. Excuse me for that as I was born like that. I just love talking. This keeps my family entertained, so kindly advise me when you would have enough of my talking,” she heartily laughed.
She, however, said her hearing is now a challenge and one has to shout when conversing with her.
She reassured us that we should not consider it as being rude to her.
Gogo Madondo was born on Christmas Day in 1916, in Rupfunde Village which falls under Chief Makoni’s area.
She recently turned 105, but is still as fit as a fiddle. She even went on to display her nimble footedness on the dance floor.
Having been blessed with the gift of longevity, Gogo Mudondo has managed to see four generations of her family.
In total, all her direct descendants can fill up three 65-seater buses.
She was blessed with nine children, although two of them are now late.
She has 47 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Gogo Madondo used to stay in Maunganidze Village in Makoni until a few years ago when she moved to stay with her daughter, Ms Evelyn Madondo and her family in Mutare’s Florida suburb.
This is where our news crew caught up with her last week.
Living long is a family trait for the Bvuma family of Rusape.
Her mother, Gogo Chichena Bvuma, died at 107 in 1987; while her uncle, Sekuru Chakwesha Bvuma, died at 110 some years later.
“My mother did not use crutches like what I am doing now. She was a strong woman until the day she died. At 107 years she would walk without the assistance of a walking aid. She did not succumb to any disease, but old age. My mother and uncle’s deaths are the true definitions of resting. They rested, they did not suffer any pain prior to their demise,” she said as she drifted into deep thought.
A devout Christian, Gogo Madondo believes there is no other secret to long life other than having a close relationship with God and one’s ancestors.
“I have always been close to God just like my late mother and uncle. I was born in a Roman Catholic Church family, but married someone from the Anglican Church. However, deep inside, I am still Catholic. In fact, my priest back home still checks up on me and each time I visit my rural home, I take the Holy Communion. My close relationship with God is the main reason I am still here.
“Ancestors also play a part if you believe in them,” she said.
She urged those who wish to grow old to improve their relationship with God and their ancestors.
For Gogo Madondo, age is just a number
Her husband, the late Sekuru Marka Madondo died in 1978, 48 years into their marriage.
The couple got married customarily and wedded soon after in 1930. Their first born child was welcomed into the family the following year.
After Sekuru Madondo’s death, Gogo Madondo never re-married.
She took care of her family through her tailoring and farming skills.
On two occasions, she hosted field days at her homestead.
“I vehemently refused to re-marry. I loved my husband so much that I would have none of it. Why replace him? I refused to give the ritual dish that was used in the inheritance ceremony to anyone after his death. I have never had any lover ever since the death of my husband. He was really special to me. My one and only,” she said with a beaming smile.
Gogo Madondo reminisced about how she met her husband and how he courted her for over a year before she agreed to his love proposal.
“Today’s children do not know how courtship was done a hundred years ago. Our love was pure and real. After finishing school, my husband who was just a boy from a neighbouring village travelled to Johannesburg for greener pastures. From there, he would send me letters every week proposing love to me. I would reply his letters, but I never told him that I loved him. I kept him guessing and waiting.
“When he finally came back and paid me a visit the following year, we started dating and married instantly because we had known each other for long, unlike today’s relationships were people hook up online and the next thing they are sleeping together,” she said.
Gogo Madondo does not take any medicine as she does not suffer from any ailment.
“When she says God is the reason she is still alive, you better believe her. Imagine that at her age, she suffers from no ailment. She has no high blood pressure or diabetes like you would expect from someone of her age. She takes no medication and honestly it is a miracle,” said her daughter, Ms Madondo.
Gogo Madondo enjoys eating grilled meat, hamburgers and concentrated drinks.
Her favourite past time is traditional dancing.
In 1991, when Gogo Madondo was 65, which could be considered by some as old age, she was a member of a professional traditional dance group, Chipango Branch.
On countless occasions Gogo Madondo showcased her dance moves before the late former President, Cde Robert Mugabe.
Her most notable moment during her traditional dancing journey was when she danced before Queen Elizabeth in Harare during her visit to Zimbabwe.
She hasn’t stopped dancing due to old age as she was assisted to stand up during the interview and showcased what she can do on the dance floor.
“I remember our green uniforms vividly. The late former President Mugabe donated the uniforms to us. They were beautiful and eye-catching.
“I was the lead dancer then. You should have seen me dancing at big occasions and you would have realised that l meant serious business. Even Queen Elizabeth was left speechless. They know me all over Makoni. Chipango Branch was the best and we would be invited to grace national and State occasions to showcase our dancing skills. Up to now, I dance regularly. I have not forgotten any of the dance moves,” she said as she struggled to stand with the help of her daughter.
Ms Madondo chanted, her granddaughter Natalia clapped her hands while The Manica Post news crew bit the drums for the jovial granny.
She danced and joined on belting out the melodies.
Ms Madondo described her mother as a strong woman who has endured all the hardships that life has thrown her way.
“Growing up, our mother was really tough. She had to be tough because she was an unemployed widow who had to look after her young children. I remember her thatching our huts on her own. All she needed was a man to put the roof trusses up then she would do the thatching herself.
“We would eat vegetables prepared with peanut butter and it was a delicacy because my mother had different recipes for it. We are thankful to God that she has reached this age, and we are hoping that she will have more years,” she said. For Gogo Madondo, age is just a number.
ln fact, she is 16-years-old at heart, as evidenced by her bubbly character.
