GOOD NEWS: Two gogos celebrate a total of 217 years
Ms Linah Masetane Mmola celebrated her 117th birthday and Ms Anna Mguni celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday.
Two Tembisa gogos celebrated at total of 217 years between them when both their birthday parties were hosted in the township on Saturday.
A mother of one, Ms Linah Masetane Mmola celebrated her 117th birthday with a party at her home in Moriting Section in Tembisa on Saturday.
Ms Anna Mguni celebrated her 100th birthday party, flanked by friends, family and neighbours at her home in Endulweni Section.
Ms Mmola celebrated her birthday with the Ekurhuleni executive mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele, well-known Pastor Mboro, the ward 5 councillor Clr Moeketsi Mvalo, the ANC’s Arron Moloi and Voice of Tembisa members. The celebration was also attended by her family, friends, community members and members from the MKMVA sub-region.
During her speech, Ms Mmola said the key to a long life is to have respect for all and to only have one life partner and no more.
Ms Mmola received birthday presents from the Voice of Tembisa, the ward 5 Women’s League, the ANC ward 5 executive committee, the ANC’s Andrew Mapheto Zone and the EMM.
As she could not walk due to her age, she was presented with a wheelchair.
Ms Mmola is a christian who still speaks highly and passionately about her religion and her belief in Christ.
She quoted from the Bible in the book of Exodus 20 vs 12 which states, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Clr Gungubele said Ms Mmola is a symbol of resilience.
“Very few of us could live to her age. We are proud of her as a mother to all nations. She has gone through all the pains during the Apartheid regime in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ANC ward 5 chairperson, Mr Modike Ramoshaba, said they established Ms Mmola’s age during a door-to-door identity book and voters roll campaign in January this year.
“We thought we should celebrate her life and age as we believe we do not have elderly people of her age in the Tembisa township. We raised funds through the township and managed to host this birthday party for her. Her life sets an example that we need to respect other people and avoid things like alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, among other substances that could endanger our lives,” he said.
Mr Ramoshaba urged people to look after elderly people even if is not their parents.
Ms Mmola has five grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren.
