Makhekhi – 100 years old and still going strong
Rebecca Serumela aka Makhekhi was born on September 3rd 1912 (proudly representing Rustenburg) and is one of the 15000 South Africans said to be aged over 100 years. An astonishing figure of South Africans is reaching the ripe old age of 100, census 2012 reported.
Nkoko (granny) Makhekhi has 5 daughters, +/-36 grandchildren (including great grandchildren). She’s a very strong person, although she can’t do a lot of things by herself, she still claims that “had it not been for my kids taking such good care of me, I swear to the living God I wouldn’t be this lazy, yang Dodo? (right Dodo?)”, she turns to look and ask her daughter who takes care of her.
She continued that she can still cook, clean, fetch water at the nearest water tap just down the road or sell sweets, potato chips, biscuits and other petty things to sell to kids, “just to keep busy”.
Makhekhi’s third child Sinah (nicknamed Dodo), is also a pensioner and says she decided to come back home to care for her elderly mother. “We all know that mme (mother) can do almost everything for herself but we couldn’t just let her stay by herself at this age”. Nothing is as pleasing as an old mother being taken care of by her own children, especially during heavy storms because in all honesty, no one could care for and love your mother the way you would; it’s true what they say blood is thicker than water, Makheki says.
“I am very happy to have my daughters taking good care of me, I really can’t complain about a thing, I am such a brat, in a way that sometimes I just wake up and scream ‘ice cream’ and it’ll come running to me…”, she gives a light bright smile as she teases her daughter who smiles back and looks away. Makheki continues to state that although there are times where she really feels like turning back time, she wouldn’t trade this phase/stage of her life for anything. “It really is the end of a bitter sweet life as all I do currently is look back at all that I’ve been through as a child, teen, lady, mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and so on.”
“It really is the end of a bitter sweet life as all I do currently is look back at all that I’ve been through as a child, teen, lady, mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and so on.”
“Then I smile about all the mistakes that I’ve made and rectified, look at all my success and be able to point this and that from where I come from. It’s no more about where I am going; it’s now about what I’ve achieved in my life, and oh boy, I am happy with every little thing. Don’t be fooled, ‘se ke tsela e e nang le mekonyane’ (this is a road full of ups and downs), there’ve been sad and good times, lots of laughter and crying, but through it all, I’ve learned that regardless of the situation, life goes on”, Makheki reminisces.
She adjoins that today children are not as strong as in the olden days. “Today when children experience hiccups in life, all they think about is taking their own lives and that’s not how life works…”. She says that in order to get to the top of the mountain, you have to sweat and even get very sore muscles from the uphill climb, before you can enjoy being at the top or going down. Perseverance, determination, strong faith and hope, being objective as well as being ‘street-wise’ are the key words that will keep you going until you reach whatever you wish to achieve.
Perseverance, determination, strong faith and hope, being objective as well as being ‘street-wise’ are the key words that will keep you going until you reach whatever you wish to achieve.
“I didn’t choose to be living at this day and age, I didn’t know I’d reach this age, but because I’ve always said ‘Jehova ke Modisa wame’ (the Lord is my Sheppard) what seemed to be impossible became possible”, Makhekhi says earnestly.
Above all, it is important to “know where you come from so you can know where you’re going, obey and honor the commandments given so your days will lengthen”. No one is perfect, but good decision-making will not disappoint; peer pressure, irresponsible drinking, smoking, unprotected sex, and all that is being preached daily will not take you anywhere if you choose not to listen”, she says lastly.
Dietitian, Mr Thabo Senna confirmed that one’s diet and lifestyle plays a huge role in health and longevity: “a diet that includes more vegetarian meals without junk food and a less stressful life will definitely improve one’s health and death risks”.
It is always better and heartwarming to care for our elders, but unlike Sinah, with all the work and other daily tasks, not everyone can or is equipped to do it. If you’d like your elders taken care of, contact the following care homes for assistance and more details:
Huis Sering 014 592 1124
Rustenburg Rusoord Ouetehuis 014 592 9218