Centenarian celebration for Sgodiphola 109 gogo

The Soweto elder who marked her 109-year-old birthday on January 5 was honoured with a glamorous centenarian celebration.

Makhoba who was born in 1914, in Msinga, Kwa-Zulu Natal came to Johannesburg and has resided in Mofolo North for over 85 years.

A jubilant Makhoba told guests that she was blessed to have reached her age citing that at her long life she was blessed to not have any illnesses. In her address, she said the way to living a long life was respect.

“I got to this age by the grace of God. I don’t have to go to the doctor because I don’t have high blood pressure, or sugar diabetes and I don’t take any medication,” the elderly gogo said.

Makhoba has 15 first-generation grandchildren, 16 second-generation grandchildren who call her koko, and 11 third-generation grandchildren.

According to speakers, Gogo Makhoba loves music and singing and loves the church, something which she has passed on to the family. They also added that she had a sweet tooth and loves playing cards.

Family representative, Ayanda Makhoba shared that her grandmother always opened her home to her neighbours.

“She opened her home to many people, some were even born in our home because she was a midwife.

It has always been a family home, not just to us but always extending her home to neighbours and the community at large.”

The young Makhoba added that her grandmother was a staunch Christian woman, who also taught them the value of hard work, as she often resorted to using her own hands.

“People would always ask why she is always so busy and because of that she never went to bed hungry because she was an avid gardener. Just a few meters away, she had her own sugar cane plant, in fact she planted everything.”

Community leader of Ward 47 Vusi Kunene, who led the event planning said, “It has always been our wish to host a celebratory event to commemorate and honour ugogo. She is someone we grew up under in this community.