Tatenda Charamba Features Writer
The sound of the August morning breeze and the distinctive soft drawn out calls from doves was relaxing.
At a homestead in Seke rural area, 113-year-old Sekuru Justin Chombe, sat outside, calm as if he was in a world of his own and in serious conversation with the wind and sun which had just cracked out of the clouds.
As our car came to a halt, it became evident of how age has taken a toll on the old man seated outside alone. Upon hearing the sound of our voices as we announced or arrival, the old man stood up, and with the aid of a walking stick slowly moved towards the source of the sound despite not knowing who we were.
His cloudy eyes depicted the eyesight problem that old age brings. Despite his age, and being visually impaired, he clearly did not need anyone’s help and as he clutched to his walking stick, cautiously moved, one step at a time.
There was something about his facial expression which calmed any visitor to his home. He is a simple man with a free spirit. His son, Last, joined us and picked a spot to sit during the interview.
Last announced that we are the visitors from the newspapers and added that for days, Sekuru Chombe had been eagerly waiting for us. Despite not seeing us, the old man smiled like we have met before and we exchanged pleasantries.
Born in 1903 in Malawi, which was Nyasaland back then, Sekuru Chombe followed the great migration trek and came alone to Zimbabwe then Rhodesia in 1940.
He was 37 years old, and immediately secured employment as a foreman, and each time he got a new job elsewhere, it was always that of a foreman. “Every time and everywhere I worked, it was always as a foreman.
“After arriving in Rhodesia in 1940, I worked at Akton Farm, in Ruwa as a tobacco foreman. I moved to an auction floor in Masasa then to a place that used to be called Dhugudhu which is in Glen Norah,” he recalled.
A hardworking man, Sekuru Chombe was put in charge of all the activities at the farm. “I was made a farm manager at Rainbow Range farm and was responsible for more than 3 000 cattle,” he added.
Staying in Zimbabwe at a time many blacks were oppressed resulted in him having to endure the actual experience of colonisation. “In 1976, I was imprisoned for two months after being accused of accommodating guerrillas,” he added.
Even after being incarcerated he chose to stay in Southern Rhodesia and eventually met his wife who is now late. “We started our family together here and we had nine children. Two of the children are deceased,” he said.
In total, Sekuru Chombe sired 11 children including one that he had in Malawi and a stepchild. “I do not know where my first born son I left in Malawi is. There was a serious communication breakdown and I don’t even know where to start if I am to look for him,” he said. In the African culture, big families are valued and are even considered as assets.
God blessed Sekuru Chombe with that gift. He has 34 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren. He said while recklessness can result in young people dying early, he has been lucky.
The old man revealed that at some point he was not worried about what he ate, drank or smoked and the impact this had to his health. He only quit smoking last year. “I used to take alcohol and smoke. I stopped drinking six years ago and it’s been a year since I last smoked.
“Sometimes I feel the urge to smoke but I always find things to take my mind off that. Last also helps me stay away from the bad habits. “I usually shell nuts to stay active and destruct my mind from wandering off,” said Sekuru Chombe.
When he was younger and vibrant, Sekuru Chombe found joy in amateur boxing. He was a great fighter and applies the same strength to life probably explaining why he has lived longer. It is the very little things that can rejuvenate one’s energy.
Sekuru Chombe is a great singer and he is very passionate about music. He even dances when he is singing. This is what keeps the man going. While many shun junk food to live longer, Sekuru Chombe has a sweet tooth.
In his old age, he craves for biscuits, sweets, buns and fizzy drinks with coca cola being his favourite. He also enjoys eating rice, and despite having lost most of his teeth, he craves for meat (chicken and fish are his favourite) and does not eat pork at all.
This centenarian was born a Muslim and derived his strength from prayer. The environment he lives in, however, made him adopt Christianity.
“I believe in praying and nothing beats prayer. I also believe in hard work and being able earn something that makes it possible for one to take care of their own needs. Theft is something I greatly loathe,” he added.
Last, said financial challenges have made it difficult to take care of his father. “Whenever there is a new moon , my father’s brain is disturbed. This usually happens towards the end of every month and it lasts for about three to four days. We cannot afford to take him to a specialist,” said Last.
He added: “When this happens, we call our pastor, Mufundisi Matembo, to pray for him. When he is not well, he spends the night pacing up and down while singing or talking.”
Last adds that Sekuru Chombe also loses his memory. However, his sense of hearing is very strong. He does not need to see someone to be able to tell where they are positioned but just hears the person’s voice.
That is how his family can easily direct him to where he has to go. Last said his greatest wish is to be able to take care of his father until he reaches at least 130 years.
The only challenge that stands in his way is the absence of a reliable source of income. “My father should have at least three meals a day. These meals are porridge in the morning, tea in the afternoon and sadza at night,” Last revealed.
Last added that he is a farmer and there are times when there are no crops for either consumption or sale. “We find it hard to provide what my father needs. “I am a professional driver and desperately need a job so that I can take care of my father.
“Besides being a farmer, I am also a driver by profession. I would really want an opportunity to get back into driving,” he appealed.
The human lifespan has greatly shortened over the past decades with lives being lost at a very tender age. Older people like Sekuru Chombe are burying the young ones.