Johannes Swavo (102): advice for the young

POLOKWANE – To sit outside in the sun, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play, while listening to their laughter is the greatest joy of 102-year-old Johannes Swavo’s day.

He was born and raised in Haenertsburg, but recently moved to Westenburg to live with his children.

As a young man he looked after his family’s cattle and that’s where his love for the outdoors began.

“I love spending my time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of nature, the feeling of the sun on my skin, the wind on winter days and watching the animals as they graze. It is a shame that our youngsters do not appreciate nature, they only watch TV and play with their cell phones. If I was still strong enough, my heart’s desire would be to go to the veld with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to look after cattle and show them what I did as a young man,” he says.

Swavo does not watch a lot of TV or listen to the radio. “I watch gospel programmes or listen to some gospel music, but TV and radio do not interest me at all. I was born in an era where there was no TV and radio and when the new technology was created, it never caught my interest. I own a cell phone, but I don’t know how to use it, and I am also not interested in learning how to use it. My children bought me the phone and I only use it when they call me,” he says.

Swavo’s wife died in 1977. They had nine children, of whom six died. He still has two daughters and a son, of which the eldest is 74 years old.

Asked what the secret of reaching his age was, he says: “It’s a gift from God and good genes I suppose. I never smoked nor do I drink. The Bible says respect your parents and your days on earth will be longer. I believe in the Word,” he says.

Swavo agrees that there are a few challenges being so old, but also wonderful advantages. “My legs are not strong enough, so I must use a wheelchair to move around. I also don’t have any strength in my arms and wrists so I cannot easily pick up things. But I am still blessed with good hearing and I can still see. My near sight is good, but I cannot see far very well. The joys of being so old are that I get to see my children grow old and I get to meet my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Swavo lived through the second World War and Apartheid.

“I feel blessed to have experienced all these years, even though they were filled with so much sadness, suffering and death. I cannot say much about the second World War as I was still a boy then, but during Apartheid people worked without getting paid.

“People were beaten for no good reason and some died because they wanted to live freely. Even though we celebrate 20 years of democracy, it is still sad to see that there are still people who hold on to Apartheid, both black and white people.”

Swavo’s eldest child, Sarah Emsley, says it is a blessing from God to still have her father in her life. His great-grandson, Piet Emsley says it is a great honour to know his great-grandfather. “There are very few people who get to meet their great-grandfather, let it be known mine is 102 years old. He is a man with great wisdom and when I have problems, I like going to him because his advice is always objective and when I am wrong he will tell me.”

Piet adds that the most valuable advice his great-grandfather gave him was: “When there is a problem, sit and talk it out until there is a solution which will make everyone happy. Do not just leave it and hope it will sort itself out”.