BY OBAKENG MAJE
Faithfulness in marriage has caused granny Mmankosi Batlhaping  of Lokgeng village outside Morokweng to live a healthy lifestyle for 106 years.

She had four children. Two passed on while the other two and five grandchildren are still staying with her in an RDP house.

“My longevity is attributed to my faithfulness in marriage. All these years I took care of myself. I have never slept around with men since I got married some years ago. I don’t know any other man except my late husband. I have never committed any act of unfaithfulness,” Batlhaping told the authorities at her surprise  mini-party.

On Friday North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe and municipal councillors visited the eldest centenarian to brought her some goodies.

Gaolaolwe said her visit to Batlhaping was part of Setsokotsane focus month activities to honour the eldest centenarians in the district municipalities across the province.

“We are grateful as a province to be the home of great centenarians. These eldest people have played a major role in raising children during difficult years of apartheid in our country. They remain a hub of knowledge to young generations, Gaolaolwe said, adding that older people should be  afforded a favourable environment to age with dignity.

Gaolaolwe handed over grocery hamper, a birthday cake and blankets. She applauded  Batlhaping’s grandchild, Elizabeth Batlhaping exercising patience in taking care of the granny and doing daily house chores for her.

“We thank all the family members and neighbours  for making sure  that granny Batlhaping enjoys her rights  and have all the freedom, protection and providential care that she needs in her age,” Gaolaolwe said.

Granny Batlhaping, according to her helper never gets sick easily. She has a good memory but her eyes have started to fail her. She is no longer able to walk without her assistance.

“ My granny likes rice and beef and traditional food. She has a good memory. She always narrates to us stories of apartheid,” Elizabeth said.

On the same day Gaolaolwe also visited another granny Emisang Kenosi(97) at Morokweng and presented a grocery hamper, a cake and blankets to her.

Kenosi has all her life depended on traditional coffee and vegetables.
-TDN

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