Vhembe’s 101-year-old shares secrets to long life
Centenarian Muyahavho Maria Muedi celebrates 101 years of life, crediting clean living, cultural values, and a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.
Quick read
- Muyahavho Maria Muedi celebrates her 101st birthday, reflecting on a life rooted in tradition and resilience.
- She attributes her long life to clean living, a vegetable-rich diet, and total abstinence from alcohol and fatty foods.
- Muedi encourages the youth to respect elders, preserve culture, and live simply for a healthier, longer life.
Full story
LIMPOPO – With a humble heart and a walking stick in hand, Muyahavho Maria Muedi of Tshikuwi village in Nzhelele has reached an incredible milestone – 101 years of life.
Despite her advanced age, Muedi’s mind remains sharp and her spirit strong as she reflects on the journey that brought her here. “I feel very happy and surprised. I never thought I’d reach this age.
“Reaching 101 years is a great milestone,” she said joyfully.
Muedi, who has two children, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, still remembers the days when there were no schools, clinics, hospitals or even roads.
“We used to travel long distances on foot because there were no cars. We walked from village to village and worked the fields using traditional methods,” she recalled.
Now partially blind, Gogo Muedi relies on hearing and memory to remain engaged with the world around her. She credits her longevity to clean living, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and a complete abstinence from alcohol.
“I never ate food cooked in fat or drank alcohol,” she said.
She fondly recalls the days of her youth, tending livestock and playing indigenous games like ‘mufuvha’, which kept children active and healthy.
“We learned from our elders and respected cultural taboos. I believe that helped us live longer, more meaningful lives.”
Muedi believes the key to a long life lies in simplicity, discipline and respect.
“If you live a clean life, God will bless you and you will live long. Respect your elders and preserve your culture.”
She offered words of wisdom to the younger generations: “Listen to advice from your elders, eat healthily and stay fit. Stay away from alcohol, drugs, sugar and fatty food.”
Reflecting on the current times, Muedi expressed gratitude for having survived many hardships, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I thank God that I’m still alive at this ripe age. Many people my age didn’t make it. It’s only by His will that I’m celebrating this day.”
