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Angela Sibanda, [email protected]

TODAY over 70 elderly people who have reached the remarkable age of 100 years and beyond will converge at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) exhibition centre for the second edition of the event dubbed “Celebrating Our Centenarians”, which is being hosted by Spa Community Trust.

Launched last year, the event which is at aimed at honouring the senior citizens, features various activities that the elderly are usually deprived of due to their old age.

First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s health ambassador, was the guest of honour at last year’s event. Dr Mnangagwa also held an interactive session with the elderly. Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady brings hope to those in need.

In an interview, Spa Community Trust co-founder and chief executive officer, Mrs Nokuthula Ndlovu said the event is about conscientising people and promoting the appreciation of old people in the community. “Our elderly are the custodians of our culture and they guide us into knowing our identities and making sure we do not forget our roots as a people. Through this programme, we wish that our communities could see and appreciate elders, learn from them, and appreciate having them around because it is a blessing for anyone to live up to a century,” she said.

Centenarians who will be part of this year’s event are drawn from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces.

The delegates are set to arrive in Bulawayo on Thursday and they will be booked for a night at local lodges.

They are scheduled to take part in a morning parade in the city centre which will be led by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services band.

They will also have a photo shoot with Bulawayo mayor Councillor David Coltart before the ceremony during which they will be awarded with a certificate and a trophy as a way of honouring their life journey.

United Kingdom-based trust director Ms Nontuthuko Dube, said the hotel stay will come with professional home care for the centenarians.

“I flew back from the UK specifically for these amazing elders who are a gift to us. We will give them all sorts of pampering from professionals. This is all just to show appreciation for our grandmothers and grandfathers,” she said.

The organisation partnered with several business owners and organisations based in the United Kingdom and locally. 

SPA Community Trust is based in Bulawayo and is famed for celebrating the lives of people aged above 65. Above all, the organisation also helps the elderly with essentials such as food and health care. It gives a helping hand, especially to those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).