WATCH: Etwatwa granny turns 103
Despite losing her eyesight over the years, she is still able to bathe and feed herself and move around the house
An Etwatwa family cherishes every special moment spent with their mother, Mabusha ‘Maleho’ Matlou, who recently turned 103.
Maleho has lived to see four generations – her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Despite losing her eyesight over the years, she is still able to bathe and feed herself and move around the house with little or no help from her family.
Wearing her white Sepedi dress with a matching doek during the interview, Maleho, who can no longer articulate herself well, was described as an intelligent person who is forever smiling.
Born in Gamakgato Village in 1921, six of her eight children are still alive.
When Benoni City Times asked how many grandchildren she has, the family laughed and said ‘there are too, too many.”
Her first-born daughter, Sarah Nhlangothi (77) said while growing up, her mother told them that in the olden days, they fetched water from nearby rivers and firewood to make a fire to cook on. Maleho worked on farms and herded cattle.
The 103-year-old lived in Pietersburg, Polokwane, most of her life with her late husband, Skepe, before coming to Gauteng around 1996.
“We did not think she would grow this old, but are feeling blessed to still have her in our lives. We embrace her presence every day,” said Sarah.
Landiwe, Sarah’s daughter, said she was happy to celebrate this milestone with her granny.
“Some of her attributes that I continue to cherish and hold close to my heart are that she was committed to her marriage and loved her husband so much, despite being in a polygamous marriage.
“Whenever we ask her about her husband, she gets excited; her face just lights up the room,” said Landiwe.
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