The General Inkanyedzi Apostolic Church from Tshikhwani in Madombidzha, under the leadership of Bishop Samuel Mutshinyali, paid a visit to Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko Meriam Mutshinyali last Sunday at her home in Ha-Ramantsha village. The purpose of the visit was to pray to God to bless her with stable and good health in her old age.

Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko is turning 105 on 19 March. She was born in 1907. She says that those of her age “are no longer with us” and that she thanks God for having reached the enviable, golden age of 105.

The congregation sang spiritual songs, prayed for her and thanked God for the gift of life given to Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko. When a song touches her spirit, Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko shouts “Sione weee!” She can hardly walk, but she struggles onto her feet to tread, very slowly, into or out of the house. “I thank God who gave me many, many days of life,” she beams. “Ask me to show you my peers around here, and I’ll show you none.”

She says that the secret of seeing more days here on earth is to respect God, eat healthy food, such as vegetables, and live a healthy lifestyle mentally. She has a son and two daughters around. Two older sons and a younger daughter have since passed away.

Her son, Bishop Samuel Mutshinyali (72), says that he is more than happy about the fact that he still has someone to call a “mother” at his ripe age. “I am an old man with a mother,” he says with a smile.

Tshinakaho Mufunwainwi (82), daughter to Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko, says she is very happy to be part of the historic event of wishing her mother good health.

One of Makhulu Vho-Mmamoloko’s grandchildren, Tebogo Mutshinyali, also wished her granny good health. “I wish her to see and enjoy many more days to come,” says Tebogo. “I also ask God to bless us children of today with more years like my granny.”