馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Namibia's Ouma Gansib, 119, shares life lessons and family reliance on her pension
via The Namibian5 min read
Ouma Marta Gansib, a 119-year-old supercentenarian from Rehoboth, Namibia, is the primary provider for her household of 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren through her monthly pension grant. Born on December 24, 1906, she has lived through significant historical events, including two world wars and the Great Depression. Despite her age, Ouma Gansib remains active, waking her great-grandchildren for school and maintaining a daily routine that includes tobacco and tea. She emphasizes the importance of respecting elders, a value she believes the younger generation lacks. Her family notes her memory is still sharp, though her eyesight has diminished. Ouma Gansib's diet includes meat, despite having lost her teeth, and she enjoys marshmallows. She attributes her longevity to faith, prayer, and reading the Bible. Her pension is crucial for her family's survival, and there have been instances where the Ministry of Finance removed her from the recipient list, assuming she was no longer alive, leading to periods without food for the family. Her family remembers her for her home-baked bread, magou, and jokes, and they view caring for her as a routine, much like their daily Bible study. Local councillors highlight her as an inspiration for the community, urging young people to learn from her life and respect their elders.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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