AT 103, she still has the urge to earn a living on her own, quite a rare occurrence as most retire in their 70s.
So remarkable is Gogo Inga Greater Makunike’s life.
She is too alert for her age.
“I owe this blessing to the Almighty, I cannot say it is because I am clever to reach this stage,” Gogo Makunike told NewsDay Weekender during a visit to her Southerton home.
“I cannot say I have been surviving because of my diet though I eat what most of you youngsters can never manage to eat.
“Some of the indigenous foods I eat make my grandchildren cringe and they can never join me, so maybe that’s where I am getting the prolonged life.”
She, however, does not dispute God’s hand in her longevity.
She still knows when she was born and says it out to NewsDay Weekender: “I was born on December 25 in 1920, early on a Thursday morning.
“I always thank God because at my age, I can still see properly, I can talk and I still know my children and grandchildren very well. I consider it a blessing because most of the old generation will not be able to do that.”
Back to her earning a living at 103, Gogo Makunike found she could reminisce about life while doing something with her hands, and for decades, she was into crocheting, popularly known in vernacular as madhoiri, taking orders and working magic with her hands.
“I used to spend my days doing that, earning some money while at the same time finding solace in the craft,” she said.
Her work is evident as it is on display in her house.
Early this year, she decided to take an indefinite break as her hands can no longer cope.
She feels lonely and during the interview, would cry while speaking about her dearly departed.
She has, however, forgotten when her husband died.
“Baba Dorca died decades ago, I was still young and I can’t tell the exact year now,” she said.
Gogo Makunike says she takes time to thank God for blessing her in such a way as most of her peers are long gone.
Asked about the new generation, she says the ama2000 pandemic is letting the nation down as it is losing a much-needed generation to drug and substance use.
“They do not have time to listen to us, the old generation. Most of the young generation thinks that we do not know anything and we are too old to give them advice,” she said.
She added that they have a “full of I know” attitude, yet they do not know what they are doing, which is destroying their lives.
Gogo Makunike said she had never tasted alcohol in her entire life and, therefore, did not encourage its excessive intake. She is a revered figure in the community and is treated with love and respect.
“The community is loving, they come through to check on me, to get wisdom and knowledge,” she said.
Indeed, based on the interview, she is a fountain of knowledge and this is aided by the fact that she is in the correct frame of mind compos mentis unlike most elderly.
Gogo Makunike’s aide, Esther Gopo, said she finds it difficult to accept that she is that old as she does not give her a hard time like most elderly people.
“I always laugh at her saying her age is not the correct one, she should be younger than this because she is too energetic for her age,” Gopo said.
“Compared to other elders of the old generation, most of them would be giving a hard time to their families at this age, but she is still active and still goes to the toilet on her own.”
The two have been together for four years now and have developed a strong bond.
Gogo Makunike said she travels alone to visit her second daughter who lives in London, without any aide.
“I go alone to London to visit my second daughter, at this age. I love the good nurtured service I get in the airlines. They really treat the elderly in a very good way. I manage to go alone as a result,” she said.
She last went to London last year.
Longevity is in their genes, she is the last in a family of four and recently lost her elder sister, who died aged 106.
Gogo Makunike is a mother of five, with three of them already late.
