Born on 11 May 1894, Johanna Mazibuko from Klerksdorp is possibly the oldest person ever to live and could be entered into the Guinness World Records for this fantastic feat.
This supercentenarian was born in the farming community of Ottosdal in the North West and was the eldest of 12 children, of whom three are still alive today. Reaching the age of 128 years old is truly a remarkable feat if you consider all the events and disasters from the last century. Mazibuko witnessed and survived British colonialism, two World Wars, the Spanish Flu, South Africa’s independence, apartheid and democracy, and most recently, COVID-19.
What is her secret to her longevity? The 128-year-old Mazibuko says that a diet of wild spinach and fresh milk has made the world’s difference. She also advises the younger generation to always respect their parents and their elders.
The current holder of the Guinness World Records for the oldest person living is Lucile Randon, who is 118 years and 73 days old, as verified on 25 April 2022 by Guinness World Records. She was born in France on 11 Feb 1904. Coincidently, the oldest person ever, Jeanne Louise Calment, was also French. She was born on 21 February 1875 and lived to be 122 years 164 days old. She reported that chocolate and port were some of her secrets to a long life.
Earlier this year, a campaign in Mahikeng in the North West launched saying it wants the Guinness World Records to recognise Mazibuko as the oldest in the world, according to Good Things Guy.
“I believe maMazibuko could have long been put in Guinness book of Records. The whole world would know, but we know that it is never late. As long as we as people in Africa know that there is such a person, we are happy that there is someone with 128 years, whether they try to hide her or what but we know there is,” Prophet OJ Madikong, the initiator of the campaign explained.
Newzroom Afrika initially interviewed Johanna Mazibuko for her 128th birthday. Watch the video here:
Let’s hope that maMazibuko will successfully get her place in the Guinness World Records, because living for 128 years in South Africa is no easy feat and deserves all the recognition!
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Picture: Newzroom Afrika / Youtube
