At 128 years old, a woman dubbed the “world’s oldest person” passed away as her devastated family paid tribute.
Mother-of-seven A life spanning three centuries has reportedly come to an end for Johanna Mazibuko, a South African, at her home in Jouberton.
Johanna, who according to her birth certificate was born on May 11, 1894, is thought to have passed away on March 3 from a stroke following a few recent hospital visits.
Her daughter-in-law Thandiwe Wesinyana said the community has “lost a mother”.
“We loved to pray together and spent most of our days drinking tea and talking,” she told News24.
“I don’t know who I’m going to have fun with anymore.
“A wound has opened, my heart is sore, and I am shattered. The community is saddened. We’ve all lost a mother.”
Johanna expressed to the aforementioned publication last year that she was “amazed” to still be alive before her last birthday. Johanna was illiterate and could not read or write.
“Why am I still here? People around me have been dying,” she said.
“When will I die? What’s the point of being alive? The world has tired me because I am just sitting here doing nothing.”
On February 14, Johanna’s niece brought her to the hospital, where she received stroke treatment before being released on February 28. She passed away a few days later and was buried on Saturday.
Among her 12 siblings, a total of 3 remained a life, including Johanna, a grandmother to 50 children.
She had seven children with Stawana Mazibuko.
