Happy 100th birthday, Mkhulu

THERE is a new centenarian in town and he is Pastor Falakhe Mbatha. Pastor Mbatha, who was born in the small area of Nkonjeni in Mahlabathini, celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday, January 30 at his home in the New Location in Bhekuzulu. He was born before the start of the First World War, before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in June of 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event that is credited with being the catalyst of the First World War. He was born in the same month of 1914 that the British colonies of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria were merged to form one country.
Pastor Mbatha or “Mkhulu” as he is affectionately known to his 18 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many other children in the neighbourhood simply says that he led a normal lifestyle like everyone else when being asked what he did and how he lived in order to reach this great age. The Pastor, who looks nothing over the age of 80, says that he has led the St Job Zion Church for a good 70 years. The church, which was started in the early 1940’s is said to have grown from strength to strength with many members joining it since then.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Mbatha’s son Mfanzile said that they as a family had been very fortunate to have a father like him. “He raised us very well and we are grateful for all that he taught us,” concluded Mfanzile. Happy birthday, Mkhulu.