News / National
Chipinge granny still has vivid memories at '100+'
27 Dec 2013 at 04:36hrs | Views
SHE recalls the time when Zimbabwe's longest bridge, Jack Quinton, did not exist. She remembers when the Ngundu-Tanganda highway was still a forest.
She is none other than Makandeni Chauke of Chizarire village in Chitepo communal lands in Chief Garahwa's area of Chipinge South.
Granny Makandeni, who speaks both Shona and Shangaan vernaculars, doesn't know when she was exactly born but the national identity card of her second born child, Takavavinga Dube, is 1932.
The first born child, Chemanai Dube Musikiri of Chisumbanje, is three years older than Takavavinga.
Said Takavavinga: "Suppose my mother conceived brother Musikiri when she was twenty years or so, it might mean that she was born around 1909."
The granny, who has lost sight, can't walk but can sit with the support of a stick and hails from Chibhavahlengwe Village at Muteyo in Chief Tshovani's area in Chiredzi North.
She was the first born child in a family of five. Only one of her siblings is late.
Her first statement to The Manicapost was, "Who is that with a European scent? I dislike these perfumes."
During the interview granny Makandeni said: "We grew up the time when colonial masters ruled this country and our area was still backward.
"The vibrant Rupangwana business centre (55km from Chiredzi town affectionately known as kwaSave) had only one store belonging to a Matigimu and a dip tank as the main attractions.
"The only clinic in the area was at Sangwe (almost 79km from Chiredzi town).
"A District Administrator's office was there but most of Chief Tshovani's territory was under Zaka district those days. The Tanganda-Ngundu highway was just a forest. There was no Jack Quinton Bridge on Save River.
"We used to cross the river using a causeway during dry seasons.
"I was the seventh resident of Chitepo communal lands after breaking away from my husband, who had married eleven wives.
"I worked very hard to provide for my 13 children. Farming and fishing in Save River was my life.
"I am proud that my sons took part in the construction of both the Tanganda-Ngundu highway and Jack Quinton Bridge," concluded granny Makandeni.
According to Takavavinga, granny Makandeni is selective on diet.
"She doesn't want rice and vegetables. She prefers sadza and fish or meat.
"Now and again I have to go fishing in Save River in order for her to eat, failure of which she sleeps hungry.
"My finances are not that good and I appeal to any well wishers to donate granny warm clothing, especially blankets and dried fish."
She is none other than Makandeni Chauke of Chizarire village in Chitepo communal lands in Chief Garahwa's area of Chipinge South.
Granny Makandeni, who speaks both Shona and Shangaan vernaculars, doesn't know when she was exactly born but the national identity card of her second born child, Takavavinga Dube, is 1932.
The first born child, Chemanai Dube Musikiri of Chisumbanje, is three years older than Takavavinga.
Said Takavavinga: "Suppose my mother conceived brother Musikiri when she was twenty years or so, it might mean that she was born around 1909."
The granny, who has lost sight, can't walk but can sit with the support of a stick and hails from Chibhavahlengwe Village at Muteyo in Chief Tshovani's area in Chiredzi North.
She was the first born child in a family of five. Only one of her siblings is late.
Her first statement to The Manicapost was, "Who is that with a European scent? I dislike these perfumes."
During the interview granny Makandeni said: "We grew up the time when colonial masters ruled this country and our area was still backward.
"The vibrant Rupangwana business centre (55km from Chiredzi town affectionately known as kwaSave) had only one store belonging to a Matigimu and a dip tank as the main attractions.
"A District Administrator's office was there but most of Chief Tshovani's territory was under Zaka district those days. The Tanganda-Ngundu highway was just a forest. There was no Jack Quinton Bridge on Save River.
"We used to cross the river using a causeway during dry seasons.
"I was the seventh resident of Chitepo communal lands after breaking away from my husband, who had married eleven wives.
"I worked very hard to provide for my 13 children. Farming and fishing in Save River was my life.
"I am proud that my sons took part in the construction of both the Tanganda-Ngundu highway and Jack Quinton Bridge," concluded granny Makandeni.
According to Takavavinga, granny Makandeni is selective on diet.
"She doesn't want rice and vegetables. She prefers sadza and fish or meat.
"Now and again I have to go fishing in Save River in order for her to eat, failure of which she sleeps hungry.
"My finances are not that good and I appeal to any well wishers to donate granny warm clothing, especially blankets and dried fish."
Source - Manicapost
