Gran, 100, shares secrets to long life

TURNING 100 years old is extremely rare, and deserves special recognition.

These are the sentiments of the family of Soshanguve’s Fastania Mashigo, who yesterday reached this milestone.

Born and raised in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, Mashigo moved to Soshanguve in 1996 to start a new life with her three children and never left.

She said her secret to living so long was working hard and always maintaining a healthy diet, such as eating a lot of greens like spinach (morogo), unprocessed mealies and sugar beans. In addition to always being active, this had added to her longevity.

“I started working at a young age, because during our time we did not have access to proper education, especially if your parents were not working. That shaped me to become who I am today because I never depended on anyone in my life, I became independent at a young age,” she said.

She said she moved from Bushbuckridge in 1996 in search of a better life. She first settled in Bronkhorstspruit, where she lived for a while before making her way to Winterveld and then Soshanguve.

“I always liked farming growing up, so I continued to farm when I moved to Soshanguve and that is how I made a living,” Mashigo said.

She had cows, goats and chickens, which she sold and also slaughtered,

and in that way never experienced poverty and was able to raise her children comfortably.

“One thing I liked was that my children always had food to carry when going to school and they all managed to finish their schooling,” she proudly added.

Mashigo emphasised that life was easy back then, because one could make a living by farming, but things had since changed and the world had become scary.

Even though now old, she said she still enjoyed keeping her brain active by reading church books as well as going to church and interacting with others.

She did speak of life’s challenges, saying she had experienced many, among them health problems, financial

problems, dealing with loss and not being able to see anymore.

“I was once hit by lightning and my right leg was broken, forcing me to use crutches. It was a painful time in my life but I pushed on hard and attended all hospital sessions until I recovered,” she said.

When one of her children, her son, died, she was shocked because she never thought she would bury her children. “That is pain I will never forget in my life.”

She said that she once lost her sight, and life took a bad turn because she could not do the things she liked anymore.

However, she was grateful that all the medication and operations performed on her helped her regain her sight.

Mashigo is now left with two of her three children, and she has two grandchildren as well as one great grandchild, for which she feels blessed.

“It is not easy to live this long, especially right now, but having to raise my grandchildren is the best thing ever.

“I would like to advise people out there to take care of themselves and exercise more, and eat vegetables because they are a source of life,” she said.

Mashigo looked forward to her birthday celebrations yesterday.

“I will love it if people can come in numbers and celebrate with me because this day means a lot to me, and I’d like them to come bearing lots and lots of gifts.

“My children and grandchildren are the best, I really appreciate them for doing this for me and always taking care of me,” she said.