I am 108 years old'

MDOBANDOBA - Majombijele Mpontjane, who was featured in this newspaper last week complaining about the tough life he is leading, is possibly the oldest man in the country.

He says he is 108 years old, which could mean he was born in 1903.

He would have been four years older than King Sobhuza II, who was born in 1899 and died in August 1982, at the age of 83.

Neighbours and authorities of this area confirm Mpontjane’s assertion as true.

This is the same man who believes he would be living a better life had a Member of Parliament (MP) handed over to him a E40 000 cash donated by sponsors from England.

Authorities here say Mpontjane arrived in the area in 1953 and by then, he was already old and had children. Although his left eye is partially blind, he has a sharp memory and is still able to walk. When walking a long distance, he always carries his walking stick as he gets tired now and again.

"This man is old and I strongly believe that when he says he is 108, he is telling the truth," said Thomas Gina, the area’s headman.

"He arrived in the area in 1953 and by then we were young but we knew there was an old man by the name of Majombijele."

Gina said he had been known as a person who liked farming and therefore he preferred staying at an area close to the river so he would have access to enough water. "If you were to ask anyone around this area, they would tell you that he is one of the oldest people here as most of us were born here and some found him here," he said. Jeremiah Sibandze, one of the area’s elders, said despite that he was above 70 years, when he grew up, he was among those people who were recognised as old people.

"Majombijele is known in the area to be one of the oldest men," he said.

"When you ask him how old he is, he tells you that he is 108 years old and there is no way you can disagree with him because when we were still boys, he was already a man."

Mpontjane insisted he was 108 years old, saying even the people in the area knew that he was among the oldest people. "Most of the people I grew up with here have passed on," he says.

"Those that are left are mostly those who were behind me. I am 108 year-old and I am still growing strong because I am able to walk." Mponjane said fishing was one of the things he liked most as that was one of the ways that saw him having food on his table. "I stay close to the river and I spend much of my time fishing," he said.

"I like seafood and that is one of the reasons why I spend much of my time here as I get enough time to fish. I am also a good cook when it comes to such food."

He says he had six children however five of them died and that is one of the reasons why he was staying alone.

"The only child I have lives in KwaZulu-Natal but I have not seen him for quit sometime now," he said. "He once asked me to relocate and stay with him but I could not because I just love this place. There is nowhere else I would go because this is the only place I know as home. I may be poor but I am happy in this area." Mpontjane says he would love to have a better house as the one he currently stays in is not a proper structure.

"I have never had a proper structure and this is because I cannot afford to build one," he said.

"I used reed to build the house I am currently using and if I had enough money I would build another one. I hope one day I will get an opportunity of staying in a house that would be better than the one I am currently staying."

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