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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

THE 2024 International Women’s Day will be a day to remember for famous Bulawayo granny twins, Ms Violet and Jester Mabaisa, as they fulfilled their childhood dream of visiting Victoria Falls.

Television host, Ms Lubelihle Banda, who was organising secretary of the ‘Friends of Mabaisa Twins’ project when they held a memorable birthday party two years ago, helped facilitate their dream visit to the country’s premier tourist resort on World International Day last Friday.

The identical twins, who are due to celebrate their 72nd birthday later this year, were transported to and from the resort city by Stallion Cruise free of charge and were given complimentary accommodation by Elephant Hills Resort. 

The Africa Albida Tourism group, provided them with tickets for dinner at the Boma Dinner and Drum Show and Shearwater Adventures gave them tickets for a sunset cruise. 

The Mabaisa twins were so grateful for the hospitality they received and said that they had never been this happy in their lives.

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 and this year it was held under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.

The day’s colour was purple and the Mabaisa twins wore a touch of brown and purple.

“We came to see the Falls, it’s our first time. We have always wanted to visit Victoria Falls since our childhood and we told Luba that we wish to visit the place,” said the twins speaking in unison.

Ms Violet continued: “We didn’t know she was going to surprise us this way. She made a surprise that we have never seen in our lives.”

Ms Jester chipped in saying: “We are thankful to her.”

They said Ms Banda told them they were going to a hotel in Bulawayo, but hotel life was not new to them. They said even when she told them to pack light clothes, they didn’t suspect that they would be visiting Victoria Falls until she broke the news to them.

“We were so excited that we screamed and neighbours rushed to check on us after Luba broke the news. We were not expecting this. We have arrived in Victoria Falls and this place is beautiful. It’s as if it’s not in Zimbabwe,” Ms Violet said with her twin nodding.

They narrated the activities they sampled, including visiting the Rainforest, dancing and beating drums at the Boma, where they were given necklaces for outshining others on the dance floor and certificates for eating amacimbi.

“We thought we would be scared of water when we went for the cruise. It was like we were just sitting in a house. It’s so nice we could even go up to England in the boat. 

“We have never been this happy in our lives. We have never seen a lovely person like Luba and we ask God to bless her. Her love is abundant and our children are also thankful,” they said in harmony.

The two synchronously said they have been to Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, but had never been to Victoria Falls, adding that they never enjoyed the way they did in the resort city.

Unfortunately, in terms of wildlife, they only saw baboons, warthogs and crocodiles. The famous twin grannies also thanked hotel and tourism workers for their warm welcome.

The elderly twins felt they had reached their self-actualisation in life by the visit, adding that if ever they were to return to Victoria Falls, their wish is to fly in the Flight of Angels.

They also caught people’s attention and were occasionally stopped by strangers who wanted to take pictures with them.

The duo said they never do things separately and when one gets sick, the sickness affects the other.

They eat from the same plate, share a bed and wear identical clothes.

“We cook and eat from the same pot and plate. We wear identical clothes and if one is damaged, we give the set away,” they said.

Although they are of advanced age, one interesting thing about them is that they have not outgrown their kindergarten tendencies.

The two have never been married, but they both have two children each, although one is deceased.

Ms Jester is shorter than Ms Violet and they also wear different shoe sizes. Ms Violet wears size seven and Ms Jester size five.

“All we can say is thank you to Luba and her friends Trever and Zulu,” said Ms Jester.

Ms Violet and Ms Jester’s fame began in Pelandaba suburb, where they grew up and always caused a stir with their synced postures and gestures.

The two moved to Entumbane in 1981 after buying a semi-detached house so that they could stay together.

Ms Banda said it had been her wish to ensure the two visited their dream destination. 

“Everything was fantastic. People in Victoria Falls were so kind and welcoming. They have this level of hospitality, which we are taking home. I feel refreshed now that I know I fulfilled their dream because they had been talking about it for a while,” said Ms Banda.