Ngovhela community celebrates granny’s 100th birthday
A Thohoyandou community celebrated the 100th birthday of Granny Tshinakaho Mulovhedzi, honouring her long life, wisdom and faith.
LIMPOPO – Grandchildren, relatives and community members from Ngovhela Back Side village near Phiphidi outside Thohoyandou braved the rainy and chilly weather on Saturday to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the oldest women in the area.
Granny Tshinakaho Mulovhedzi, born on August 21, 1925, at Vuvha la Mulambilu in the Nzhelele area, received ululations, clapping, singing and dancing as she walked to the venue of her surprise birthday party. Despite the weather, the joyful celebrations did not dampen the spirit of the community.
Mulovhedzi, who can speak, see, and walk well, shared that she would have loved to celebrate the day with her four children, all of whom had passed away.
Speaking to her grandchildren, relatives and well-wishers who came from as far as Gauteng, she said, “If you want to live longer, you must stop taking too much alcohol, avoid late-night outings and stay away from womanising. Many people are dying younger because they ignored the advice of the elderly.”
Granny Mulovhedzi thanked God for granting her a long life. At 100 years old, she still cooks, speaks and tends her backyard vegetable garden, ploughing pumpkins, cabbage, and spinach.
“Getting up every morning and working in my garden is part of my exercise. I am living and kicking like a young lady. I enjoy pap and mopani worms (mashonzha), locusts (nzie), and I never drink alcohol, which I have seen destroy the future of young people,” she said.
The celebration also highlighted the extended Mulovhedzi family, related to Mulele in Nzhelele, with relatives attending from Muledane, Shayandima, Matangari, Vuvha la Mulambilu, and Mbilwi.
A devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church in Ngovhela, Granny Mulovhedzi has offered advice and financial assistance to many congregants over the years. Representing the grandchildren, Matamela Mulovhedzi described her as both a woman and father figure, taking care of the family after the loss of their parents and uniting the extended family.
Matamela wished her grandmother continued health and happiness on her milestone birthday.
