Gogo shares secrets to long life

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Centenarian Lucy Mahlangu lives with her 4-year-old granddaughter. Here, she moves burning rubbish away from her Stinkwater home

Mahlangu is no stranger to hard work after spending most of her working life as a domestic worker. Now retired, she cares for her 4-year-old granddaughter and takes pride in being able to look after herself, her granddaughter and their five-room house unassisted.

The elderly woman is still able to walk to her monthly clinic appointments, stand on one leg and even dance.

“I clean my house and cook as well as go to the clinic walking all by myself,” said Mahlangu, adding that she visits her local clinic monthly for high blood pressure medication. “I am still very fit and I believe that I may live couple more years.”

She credits healthy living for her long life.

“I don’t drink or smoke and I never did that before in my life,” said Mahlangu adding that she also avoided multiple concurrent partnerships. “I only had one husband and I never thought of cheating on him until now even though he is dead.”

Community member Phillip Leburu tells OurHealth he always sees Mahlangu working in her garden and says today’s young people can learn from Mahlangu’s healthy lifestyle.

Tshwane nurse Sister Elizabeth Mokoma says that a long life can be attributed to many things including a healthy diet, good genes and regular exercise.