27 Nov 2014

Former minister, Dr Gaositwe Chiepe says the importance of long life is not only in terms of the number of years but to stay healthy.

Speaking at a church service on the occasion of thanks giving dedicated to the elderly in Moshupa recently, Dr Chiepe emphasised the importance of physical exercise which she said in the olden days needed not to be a separate task since people were engaged in activities such as walking to the ploughing fields and cattle-posts.

 “This way of living was healthy as it served as adequate exercise for the body,” Dr Chiepe said. The occasion was organised by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) for old people who most of them were in their 70s, 80s, 90s and only one man was 100 years.

Dr Chiepe who herself is in her 90s advised others on the importance of proper eating if they had to live long. She said she ate moderately, the amount of food that she was able to finish and feel comfortable. “I feel uncomfortable when someone dishes me a full plate or large quantity of food,” she said. 

On another issue, Dr Chiepe advised her listeners to count their blessings and be grateful for what they had, adding that they should love others and give help without expecting anything in return.

Dr Chiepe wished that the youth could have been among them as they all needed each other, saying there was something the young people had knowledge about unlike in the olden days when older people were regarded to be knowledgeable on everything.

She encouraged old people to be active and enjoy life. Giving a vote of thanks, the lead pastor of Moshupa UCCSA, Reverend Derek Silurenga commended Dr Chiepe for what she did for the country. ENDS