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News - Date: 26 July 2002
LWAMONDO – Mrs Sarah Netshavhungwa Matamela Nelwamondo (110) of Lwamondo – Mutandani Village has registered her name in the history books of longest living people in South Africa.
She was born on 10 June 1892 at Dzwerani-ha-Mabaga.
Mrs Nelwamondo told Mirror that she hadn't even step on the entrance of a classroom. "During our days, there was no schooling and our parents also not even went to school," said Mrs Nelwamondo.
She stated that she got married at the age of 40 in 1930, to the late Vho-Frans Mbeeni Mulaudzi Nelwamondo who passed away in 1988. Her first-born is Mr Johannes Nelwamondo (70), a retired teacher who was working in Diepkloof and at Mathule Primary School (Tshifulanani). Her second son is Mr Balanganani Nelwamondo, a pensioner; the third-born is Vho-Luvhengo Nelwamondo (60) who is also a pensioner and the last-born is Mrs Maria Nndwambi (51), a professional nurse at Tshilidzini Hospital.
"Today I have ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, and I'm hoping that I will also be able to see great-great-grandchildren," said the excited Nelwamondo. This granny is a member of the Lutheran Church Parish in Lwamondo and is outspoken about her love for God. "I'm here today because of the will of God, without God, I wouldn't be celebrating my 110th birthday. Where there is God, there is life," she explained.
According to her grandson, Khakhathi Nelwamondo, he organised the party just to please his granny on her 110th birthday. "It was right to organise a party for her, because she is where most people will never be. Today I am a soldier because of her positive advice," said Khakhathi.
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