GOGO MAGAGULA CELEBRATES HER 106 BIRTHDAY

BY STAFF REPORTER
Linah Msesi’s secret to long life has been eating lots of vegetables and praying. Msesi celebrated her 106th birthday in Middelburg on July 5.
Gogo Magagula as she is known is probably tallied among the oldest persons alive in the country as she has lived 6 years more than a century
“I take my pills for highblood and sugar diabetes regularly and I pray. Most importantly, I respect everyone,” she said.
Her grand daughter Nonhlanhla Magagula could also attest to it. “It is very true. Our granny does not care if you are a kid or adult, she treats you with the respect you deserve. When it comes to food, she does not compromise. She eats organic staff only,” Nonhlanhla said.
Gogo Magagula who can still walk without the aid of a walking stick is three years older than the late SA stateman, Nelson Mandela whose birthday is celebrated as the Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July.
Gogo was blessed with six children and only one is still alive. She has eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
PR Counselor, Bheki Marumo said he saw it fit to organise a little surprise birthday party for the oldest citizen on Mandela day.
She was pampered with blankets, a birthday cake and some grocery items.
As if it were not enough, Marumo went deep in his pockets spoiling her with R400 cash.
“Gogo was born on 5 July 1915. So we chose to celebrate her belated birthday on this day because she is one of the oldest citizens just like Tata Madiba was. Secondly it is also part of the 67 minutes that we do this to honour ugogo,” Marumo told Timeless.
Marumo said to live up to a 100 years and more, is something that is very rare these days.
“So we feel very lucky to still have people who have lived that long in our midst. We love, appreciate and wish her many more years to come,” Marumo said.