Mme Lengina joins Centenarian Club
Ga-Mashashane resident, Lengina Millicent Mongalo turned 100 on May 27
POLOKWANE – The United Nations estimates that there are more than 300 000 people around the world who are 100 years and older. Ga-Mashashane resident, Lengina Millicent Mongalo recently joined the Centenarian Club on her 100th birthday.
Mme Lengina was born on May 27, 1921 in Madietane village, Moshate in Ga-Matlala. The Bakone ba Matlala a Thaba Princess is the fourth born of her parents’ five children and was born three years after the Spanish flu pandemic.
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Lengina is the mother of former Polokwane Chamber of Business (PCOB) President and businessman, Makgoba Percy Mongalo.
The Bakone of Ga-Matlala and Mandebele of Ga-Mashashane tribal areas are close neighbours and in the 1940’s, Mme Lengina married the late, Thipana Benjamin Mongalo and the couple had eight children (five boys and three girls).
The couple has 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and counting. Mme Lengina, a teacher by profession, says her long life can be attributed to a healthy lifestyle and prayer.
Laziness is not part of her vocabulary and she believes in the proverb ‘the early bird catches the fattest worm.’
Even at her age, Mme Lengina still enjoys watching the news and can still express her sharp opinion on current affairs.
Amid the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, her family is planning to celebrate her milestone on June 19, with strict observance of all health protocols put in place by government.
“Not a lot of people live to a 100 years, let alone during a pandemic. I feel beyond blessed and lucky to survive until this age. I pray for everyone as well to live longer lives,” Mme Lengina said.
