92-year-old in a league of her own, completes 5km run
WHILE the spotlight was rightly on the winners in the respective categories of the inaugural NetOne-Albun Honde Valley Marathon held in the Eastern Highlands recently, 92-year-old Mrs Julia Zisengwe of Chikanga, Mutare, somewhat stole the show after managing to complete the 5km run.
While there were podium finish awards for some, there was an even bigger reward for her — the calibration of her health, physical fitness and wellness.
While other participants were sweating it out for an initial outing in this first-of-its kind occasion, the nonagenarian has been running a good race everyday for over half of her nine-decade existence.
While most participants were competing with others during the marathon, she was simply out to better her personal best and record another milestone in her illustrious history of participating in similar events.
In a remarkable moment to savour, Gogo Zisengwe won the admiration and plaudits of other competitors and spectators after she accomplished the rare feat.
As she was on the home stretch, she did not show any signs of lethargy and discomfort.
In fact, she leisurely strolled past the finish line; much to the jubilation of her family and ululation of onlookers.
Even those who initially doubted her were left dazzled.
Despite her participation in the 5km run for fun, it did not go in vain.
For breaking her sweat, the 92-yearold did not leave empty-handed, but walked away US$100 richer after an impressed wellwisher who declined to be named handed her the money.
She also received two hampers as consolation prizes from some of the event’s sponsors.
However, this was not the first time out for Gogo Zisengwe.
In fact, she has a beenthere-donethat aura.
The widower, wife to the late former mayor of Mutare – Mr Solomon Zisengwe
– is simply cut from a different cloth.
She is unique as her norms, values and outlook differ from many. The nonagenarian is no ordinary gogo.
Lifestyle choice
At 92, Gogo Zisengwe is still going strong. For her, where there is a will, there is a way.
Indeed, Gogo Zisengwe holds the compass that shows the way to a long life.
“I am a health and wellness enthusiast. I religiously carry out exercise routines every day, either walking or running, and these have helped drive away infirmity.
“There are active processes through which I have become aware of the need to uphold a healthy lifestyle and made deliberate efforts towards a more fulfilling existence.
“As such, I have been participating in similar marathons and l am actually losing count of how many I have partook. Mine is amateur participation and I have grown accustomed to it. “I have in place a daily work-out aimed at achieving a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. This helps me beat boredom and clinical stress as well as reduce the risk of diseases.
“Even at home I am hardly idle as I do some activities, both indoors and outdoors, just to keep fit, improve mental health, manage weight and strengthen my bones and muscles. While at it, I also ensure that I enjoy quality sleep and get enough rest,” said the nonagenarian with an infectious smile beaming on her radiant face.
Gogo Zisengwe is also smart when it comes to eating, preferring organically produced nourishment.
As an old-timer, getting back to the basics is the way to go for her. Nothing beats that, she reiterates. She explains: “Life is the greatest gift God has blessed us with and the best I can do is to take very good care of it. For that reason, I maintain a strict diet regime. I manage my eating habits very well.
“I am very particular about what I take, most of which is traditional food, whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables. Give me mufushwa (dried vegetables), black jack and food prepared from rapoko, sorghum and millet, among others, anytime, anywhere, because they have wholesome nutritional value.
“Every morning I take a glass of water with lemon or ginger. I am proud that I come from the rich province of Manicaland and thoroughly enjoy eating bananas, avocados and yams from Honde Valley, as well pineapples from Chimanimani and apples from Nyanga. As a result, I do not suffer from any chronic health conditions,” she said.
Regular exercising coupled with a healthy diet has taken her thus far, the elderly woman reckons.
FAMILY AFFAIR