Gogo Merika Tshabalala from Sakhile turns 100 years
Her youngest makoti said she taught her children to respect themselves and other people, while her husband said she disciplined her offspring when necessary.
Gogo Merika Tshabalala from Sakhile celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday, December 7 with her family.
Ms Merika Ntombi Tshabalala originally hails from the Elembe district in KwaZulu-Natal and moved with her late husband, July, to Standerton more than 50 years ago.
She is living with her eldest son, Jacob, and his family at the moment.
The Tshabalalas had 11 children of which seven have already passed away.
Altogether 32 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren form part of the family tree.
Gogo Tshabalala was a domestic worker in her time and her husband worked on a farm near Wolwespruit.
A few family members were present during the interview to overcome the language barrier and gave their accounts on her life.
Health-wise it was agreed, nothing is amiss except the kierie needed for walking and blood pressure pills obtained at the clinic.
Her youngest son, Petrus, gave her a cellphone in 2000 and yes, she has been vaccinated and voted in the recent local elections.
A soapie or two on television such as Generations and Skeem Saam are not to be missed.
Her youngest daughter-in-law, Poelo, mentioned that she does not cook anymore since the makotis do the necessary.
“Don’t use so much salt,” the daughters-in-law would be reminded.
“Don’t use too much oil.”
Gogo only eats meat boiled in water and loves the steamed Zulu-bread, dombola.
According to Petrus, she only has to hear that someone in the family has to be up by 6:00 and will then be awake too.
The house must definitely be warm then, fire stoked and as Poelo indicated, clean.
Gogo Tshabalala washes her own clothes, makes up her own bed and cleans her own bedroom.
“We just assist her when she falls ill,” Poelo said.
She is a firm believer in herbal medicine for her family for anything ranging from flue-symptoms to aches and pains.
Her youngest makoti said she taught her children to respect themselves and other people, while her husband said she disciplined her offspring when necessary.
After the interview, some singing and dancing waited for this centenarian before the big bash, with probably 80 people on Saturday, December 11.
The grandchildren are in charge of the food and a surprise could be in the offing.
Tshabalalas from all over clubbed together to make this a special event.
They are grateful to the bottom of their hearts that the ill wind that blew over everyone in late 2019 did not reach her.
“The corona virus has not touched her,” they concluded.
