A 100-year-old woman from Chivi, Gogo Jemima Chipato-Mhungu, says keeping God’s commandments, living righteously, working hard, and keeping her faith are the secrets to her longevity.
Gogo Mhungu, a Seventh-day Adventist, celebrated her 100th birthday last month. She was born on 08 January 1923.
Apart from experiencing memory lapses, Gogo Mhungu is in good shape as she is able to walk freely without a walking stick.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail last Sunday, as her family belatedly celebrated her birthday, Gogo Mhungu said:
I have always diligently served my church, as a Seventh-Day Adventist. Growing up, I loved going to church and I was in the choir. Up to today, I haven’t lost my Christian faith because God is the giver of life
Seeking God and keeping his commandments is the only secret to longevity. Surely, the Lord will give you a long life. Also, obedience is the greatest thing that has brought me this far.
It’s not by my power to live up to today but by the grace of God. To God, 100 years is just a number.
However, throughout this journey, I have learned that obedience can take you far.
I listened to what my parents taught me and that is why I am celebrating this milestone.
Children nowadays have lost that. They are so ill-disciplined and that is why we see them getting pregnant at a younger age.
The marriages are not lasting for long and they end up being single parents all because of a lack of obedience.
The centenarian said she spent much of her adult life as a housewife.
She said her healthy diet, which largely consists of well-cooked traditional food, such as sadza with any traditional relish, and Maheu, significantly contributed to her long life.
Gogo Mhungu said one of the most painful moments of her life was the loss of her husband, who died in 2000.