Daughter of Mzilikazi's warrior speaks at 103, 'nowadays people do not respect culture and elders'

Gogo Gibhi Mabuso, the daughter of Zibindlela, a warrior in one of Mzilikazi's regiments based at Matobo has encouraged Zimbabweans to go back to traditional ways of living laced with Christianity.
Gogo Mabuso, born Gibhi Mlotswa Xaba Salukwanda Mabuso in 1909, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Saturday at Tjewondo near Maphisa. She challenged today's youths to respect culture. That she said was among the recipes that have led to her living up to this age.
Life, she said, was full of intrigue but those who stuck to tradition and the church tended to have a peaceful life.
Gogo Mabuso said she was happy that all her five surviving children, all daughters, were married and happy at their homes.
"I am happy all my five girls were married and have been happy with their families. There is no secret about that. They grew up obedient girls, who followed their culture and were Christians. They valued family life and all what we always told them stuck into their minds. I am disappointed to note that nowadays people do not respect culture and elders," she said.
Her second born daughter, Mrs Ntombana Moyo who was born in 1932 confirmed that her mother was a traditional woman.
"She was strict. She wanted the best out of us and she emphasised all the time that we had to respect and follow culture. Tradition shaped us and all five of us got married successfully because we were taught how to respect the community and our families," said Mrs Moyo.
Gogo Mabuso is strict with her diet and does not eat vegetables and fatty foods."We grew up knowing that she does not like vegetables and cooking oil in her diet. She will tell you at first bite that the food has cooking oil even at this advanced age.
"We encourage today's youths to stick to family values and culture. God guides those that respect themselves and the community at large. She has been an example in the community worth emulating," said Mrs Moyo.
Gogo Mabuso is said to have been a grains farmer and also kept cattle, goats and sheep. She looks quite strong for her age as she can walk. She joined in the party dancing and singing briefly for the guests.
Charles Moyo, a businessman from Bulilima, threw the party for her.
"Rarely do we celebrate the lives of some of the most important people in our loves, just thought we could bring her immediate family together, celebrate Women's Day with her," said Moyo. International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March yearly.
He said it was deliberate to have the party at home instead of his three-star lodge in Plumtree.
"I could have hosted it at Kombani, but felt it would have an impact at home and say to abazukulu, let us keep our tradition and value the heritage of our foreparents," said Moyo.
Gogo Mabuso had eight children born between 1928 and 1954. She has 89 grand children and 138 great grand children.