super centenarian — Christian Mortensen of the United States who lived for 115 years and 252 days before his death in 1998.
French woman, Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at age 122, is said to be the oldest unambiguously documented human to walk the earth.
Mr Katsukunya — who moves around with the aid  of a wheelchair — was interviewed on ZBC-TV on Tuesday as President Mugabe celebrated his 88th birthday.
Speaking with great difficulty, he told ZBC he “vividly” remembers teaching the “intelligent young boy” Mugabe in Sub A (Grade 1 equivalent) back in 1931.
He would have been 34 at the time, and President Mugabe just seven. His fifth born son, Emmanuel (62), told of his pride at his accomplishment.
“I think he is a legend and hero in his own right. After all, he taught a Head of State,” Emmanuel said.
The elder Kutsukunya said he had met President Mugabe twice since he became President. The ZBC reports “he wishes he could meet his student again one day before destiny catches up with him.”
Not a colourful individual neither an imposing figure. Not even a great achiever by world standards, but to the man who once taught Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe at primary school, that piece of history is a feather on his cap.
It has been a long and winding road, one that has taken over a century. Now living in his 115th year, Mr Katsukunya has more than a tale to tell as he speaks about his life as a teacher.
Among thousands of students who passed through his hands, he vividly remembers one who is now a renowned national leader and global political supremo, who to him will always be Robert Mugabe.
Born in 1897, Mr Katsukunya says the story of his life saw him train as a teacher at Kutama and was then posted to Murombedzi which is within Zvimba district as part of his teaching practice.
Telling his story with difficulty now because of advanced age, he remembers vividly that the Robert Mugabe he taught in Sub A was an intelligent young boy.
Mr Katsukunya says the crowning moment of his glory is when he was invited twice in independent Zimbabwe to meet the President who requested for his teacher.
Absorbed into the old man’s story, one cannot help but a shed a tear when he tells you that after the passing away of his wife three years ago, his children moved him from his rural home to Harare.
He wishes he could meet his student again one day before destiny catches up with him . . . just but for a few minutes, so he says. — ZBC/Newzimbabwe.com.

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