CENTANE- Amathole District Municipality (ADM) has honoured Ms Nowanele ‘Yucu’ Mvuza of Teko Kona Village in Centane who is believed to be among the oldest living people in South Africa during Heritage Month.
The municipality visited Mvuza at her home on 15th September and handed over essential household items to her family as part of the recognition
.ADM Executive Mayor Cllr. Anele Ntsangani said the visit followed a call from Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, who informed him about Mvuza’s age and life story.
“I received a call from the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, asking me to visit Ms Mvuza who is regarded as one of the oldest living people in the Eastern Cape,” Ntsangani said.
“According to information we have seen online, she is believed to be the oldest person in South Africa and will turn 119 next month.”
Mayor Ntsangani had previously visited Mvuza and her family to better understand her circumstances and identify areas where further assistance could be provided.
During that visit, he committed to returning to the village, making the September visit a continuation of the municipality’s engagement with the family.
Ntsangani said Mvuza’s approaching birthday presented an opportunity to preserve her life story and create a lasting record of her contribution to her family and community.
“Something has to be done as a lasting remembrance of a woman who has broken records and lived for so many years,” he said.
The visit brought together Mvuza’s family and community members, who gathered to celebrate her life and the generations of history and experience she represents.
A community member and family member Mziwamadoda Madikane, welcomed the recognition and said the family was proud to see Mvuza honoured.
“She is not only a community member but also my mother. We are grateful to ADM for recognising her. This is a historic moment for our family and village and we are proud to witness it,” Madikane said.
Mnquma Local Municipality Mayor Cllr. Tunyiswa Manxila-Nkamisa described Mvuza’s long life as a blessing to the community.
“God has blessed her. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live for more than 100 years. I know the journey has not been easy, but we are grateful to have her in our community,” Manxila-Nkamisa said.
Mvuza’s youngest child, Nokhaya Yoliswa Ndubelana said her mother had been central to the family’s upbringing and had passed important life lessons on to her children.
“My mother raised us and taught us everything we know,” Ndubelana said.
She described her mother as the foundation of the family and thanked the village councillor and Teko Kona residents for their continued support.
“Their continued care and support have meant so much to our family,” she said.
Ndubelana also expressed appreciation to ADM for recognising and celebrating her mother’s life.
The municipality said the visit was intended to recognise the importance of older people and their contribution to preserving community history, culture and heritage.
It said elders carried memories and experiences that could help younger generations understand their communities and traditions.
For Mvuza’s family and the Teko Kona community, the occasion was therefore not only a celebration of her extraordinary age but also an acknowledgement of the history she represents.
ADM said recognising elders was an important part of preserving community heritage for future generations, while Mvuza’s life story continued to serve as a link between generations in the village.
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