Over the past year, I have been building up relationships with some grannies in the Tembisa township.  As we do exercises together and study the Bible, I have come to know them quite well. Some come and ask me health-related questions and others biblical questions; we have enjoyed many days just exchanging stories, working on crafts and having loads of fun.  Here are some stories of the Gogo’s backgrounds and what they enjoy doing.  I have left it just as they have written the story so you get a better feel of how we communicate with broken English.

 

My name is Johanna Mabuza, I live in Tembisa and am 76 years old and now a widow. I was born 7 November 1938.  I have one child who is a boy, he was married but he died when his first child was 11 months. I now look after my grandchild who is 10 years old. I have some health challenge and I love to knit.

My name is Dorothy Selaluke. I was born at Sorufontein, in Kempton Park is where I grow up before I get married to my lastest husband, Joseph Selaluke. We were blessed by 7 children which is 3 girls and 4 boys.  I live a good life with my children, we care for each other so much and I love my children so much, and they love me too. With them I have everything in life and i am really happy to be with my children and my grandchildren, it makes me happy when I see them together and it feels good life. When I started Gogo gym it keeps my body relaxed and I have more company and it exercise my mind everytime.  It is my happiness and happy life.

About my life on the earth… I am Peggy Ntuli and am a grandmother who likes peace and the thing I like most is to spend more time with my grandchildren and having fun with them. They are the best things in my life and when they are in trouble or need any advise they come to me and ask for help.  I want my grandchildren to be more educated and praise the Lord every day while they are growing up, knowing that He is one God that we praise.   I like to pray allot and to praise the Lord by all means and going to church.  And also look after my health, I eat healthy food, fruits and vegetables and also exercise every morning when I wake up and in the afternoon.  I try and take a walk to my friends and help those who are in need.  I don’t care if you are a stranger or not.

 

 

My name is Dorah Mkhonto.  I was born at Tzaneen in 1951/07/17, I got married in 1970 in Tembisa, my first child was born in 1971 a boy and my second child born in 1974, third in 1977 and my last in 1979, I was blessed with 2 boys and 2 girls, since then I have been living in Tembisa.

I own a house and live with my husband and 3 grandchildren. I have 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  In 1980 my husband was involved in an accident and he got disabled, got one arm. Amongst my children only 1 child is working and one got married, the rest are not employed or married.  I am a Christian and my daughters also but different church, my first born child did not pass matric but three of them passed matric and went to tertiary level, also my grandchild from my oldest son passed matric, the other grandchildren are still writing their exams this year.  To survive we sell beer and my pension fund helps us.

My name is Jane and I live in Tembisa with my grandchildren. I love the township where I live. I love God and also my church.  Each night I make dinner for the children and when they finished eating I teach them a story from the Bible and sing a song with them.  I have a very small garden where I planted pumpkin and also cabbage, I eat the cabbage with pap it is very delicious.  Thank you for reading my story.

My Name is Catherine Mdluli.  I am a women of above 70 years and I am I haven’t been well lately, I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren who all live together, we like eating mielies, meat sometimes and lots of sugar. I don’t always have enough food to feed me and my family,  because none of my children are working. I enjoy watching the TV show called generations and I go to gogo gym at Aphiwe.

I am Esther Maringa, I went to school but have no profession.  What I did, I went to dress making and dress designing school in Mamelodi.  I once made uniform for our church choir, our members were 48 men and women.  As you know all women are being abused by husbands and their boyfriends, I am one of them,  but God is very great, I have got 5 children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. God is with us, we are living and my husband has gone away where he wants.

I am Johanna Mdluli, I am married to the late Elmon Mdluli, I am blessed with 5 children, but I just lost 2 children, and I am blessed with 10 grandchildren, other of my grandchildren are done with school but they are not working.  I am wishing the God may bless my grandchildren to get jogs, even though others are studying I thank God for blessing me and keeping me strong and alive.

 

I am Lydia Mhlongo, I am 84 Years this year (2014), I am staying with my grandson, Peter, We live together for a very long time and he doesn’t give me any problems, anyway he is a good guy and he likes going to church like myself.

I would like to tell you some few things about my grandmother, Evelina Lubisi!  My grandmother she is a caring person, she is so humble, she taught me to respect people whether young or old, she raise me like her son, my grandmother she is a hard worker, she likes to tell stories and has an open heart.  She understands when one has a problem. I love her so much. She is a very good person.

I am Gladys Mbanywa and I am 65 year old grandmother who lives with two daughters and four grandchildren.  I was born and bred in the Eastern Cape.  I was brought up in a Christian family.  Me and my children attend church at St Matthews Catholic church.  Two of my grandchildren lost their father last year, 2013, in the month of March.  We rely on grant money for a living.

There are many more ladies but I do hope you have enjoyed getting to know these lovely ladies a little bit better, I know each of them would love for you all to come and visit and they love getting to know new people.

 

Liezl Viljoen