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MUGABE’s Teacher World’s Oldest Man
THE world’s oldest man is a retired Zimbabwean teacher who counts President Robert Mugabe among his former students, it has been claimed.
Oscar Munyoro Katsukunya claims to have been born in 1897 in Kutama district, some 67km west of the capital Harare.
His 115 years equal the oldest undisputed lifespan for a male super centenarian – Christian Mortensen of the United States who lived for 115 years and 252 days before his death in 1998.
French woman, Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at age 122, is said to be the oldest unambiguously documented human to walk the earth.
Katsukunya – who moves around with the aid of a wheelchair – was interviewed on state television on Tuesday as President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 88th birthday.
Speaking with great difficulty, he told the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation he “vividly” remembers teaching the “intelligent young boy” Mugabe in Sub A [Grade 1 equivalent] back in 1931.
He would have been 34 at the time, and Mugabe just seven.
Proving his claim would be difficult, however. In a majority cases, birth certificates during the colonial era were rarely issued to black Africans, and most births occurred in primitive thatched hut settings.
In instances where birth certificates were issued, this would be several years after a child’s birth – often when the children needed to enrol in school, and exact birth dates would become a matter of guess work with seasonal changes and droughts being used as markers.
Kutsukunya, who did his teacher training at Kutama – Mugabe’s birth place – however can rely on one marker to stand up his claim: Robert Mugabe’s age.
The two men have an age gap of 27 – and some would say his claims are more than likely plausible, with his literacy weighing in his favour.
His fifth born son, Emmanuel, 62, told of his pride at his accomplishment.
“I think he is a legend and hero in his own right. After all, he taught a head of state,” Emmanuel said.
The elder Kutsukunya said he had met Mugabe twice since he became President. The ZBC reports “he wishes he could meet his student again one day before destiny catches up with him.”
Posted by
Mpangula Mputyu
February 23, 2012 at 7:47 am
Rubbish Mugabe, with all his degrees and education, he has impoverished his population.
Tripoli
February 23, 2012 at 7:49 am
So you taught him those bad manners of clinging to power until you die
Bebe
February 23, 2012 at 7:51 am
Long Live Mr Munyoro!
moses
February 23, 2012 at 7:53 am
Long live Oscar
dickson pussies
February 23, 2012 at 7:59 am
iwe chi Mpangula Mputyu, its not Mugabe who has impoverished his people..its the sunctions of the west…just because he got the land that belongs to his people back. s t u p i d ignorant fool
Mama Chiporo
February 23, 2012 at 8:01 am
So that is where the longevity genes came from. Zimbabwe better brace themselves for even more tough years ahead. From 88 to 115 is 17 more years. Ouch!
fekam
February 23, 2012 at 8:42 am
How happy & wonderful it is. Maxing age limit hundred and twenty years but we are swept out of this world within age of 30>
Best
February 23, 2012 at 8:42 am
So mugabe emulated from u to live-long, hmmm.
polopolo
February 23, 2012 at 8:50 am
Mugabe will be there forever.
Slu
February 23, 2012 at 9:13 am
There is a lady who is believed to have lived for 136 in Eastern, Zambia and if my memory serves me right she is no more. Should have entered the Guinness Book of World Record.
patson
February 23, 2012 at 9:34 am
Mugabe ni 150yeas naka gym aka bayako.
Nobby
February 23, 2012 at 9:37 am
Today when u reach 70+ years and you’re not dieing it means you’re living at the expense of someone.Anyway God bless you sir!!!
Linda
February 23, 2012 at 9:39 am
wow!Indeed long live shikulu Munyoro.Not so many ever reach that age esp these days.Youre blessed indeed but yr so called sub A student,awe sure!
umu zedian
February 23, 2012 at 10:05 am
Robert is a great man trying to fight for his people, he is not like some of these foolish African leaders we have, H.E Robert Gabriel Mugabe, is a good example of how a leader should be.
Zimbabwe was in that state because of the sanctions which were imposed on the country. It was the BBC who used to sing praises about Zimbabwe and Mugabe, that time he was doing what they wanted. Now that he (Mugabe), is trying to do good to his people they have turned him into the evil one.
America’s govt have killed a lot of people, just yesterday NATO killed 8 innocent lives and how many have died so far in Syria? Blind fools cannot see all this. People are blaming Robert for sanctions imposed on him by westerners, their aim is to recolonize us.
African leaders, be careful to whom you beg. westerners will not do us any good because they always have personal interest and yet claim to help.
Kantu Kantu
February 23, 2012 at 10:07 am
eeee! Mr Monyoro may God give u more more days,but advise yo boy to do the right thing this time he is to old for presidency!!!!!!!!
Field-Marshal Tungulu
February 23, 2012 at 10:17 am
Iwe Dickson Nyo, uzisunge ka! Basopo!
Long life
February 23, 2012 at 10:28 am
Yaba Mugabe for you for life ati 17 years more to go
Tonga Bull
February 23, 2012 at 11:09 am
viva Mugabe you deserve a nobel prize. keep on showing those british that africa is africa. sata i hope you are learning from people who know what they are doing like mugabe.
Hospital D.E
February 23, 2012 at 12:33 pm
No Way is he 115 years old.
Let him show his birth records like Rupiah Banda.
martha
February 23, 2012 at 1:46 pm
atase
one time
February 23, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Pretty old
Apache 27
February 23, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Long live oscar, long live mugabe
simwinga yande
February 23, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Woo great man papa. But make sure you became a born agian other wise when you die, your life would be in vain.
Ntimbila
February 23, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Long live shikulubantu, God bless u
Pyatapyata boys
February 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Indeed its been long if his memory serves him well to have lived since 1897 to clock 115 years. however, he is slowly approaching his final resting place. remember the words in the book of ecclesiastes 11 which taks about old age.for out of the dust of the earth was man formed and back to it shall human being go to.
Wishing ou well in the remaining time shikulu and remember to always prais God so that he may have favour even on the day you die. So till we meet in glory, its shalom shalom.
mzee Hekima
February 23, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Let him rule until death
Laz
February 23, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Long live Oscar my friend, see if you can get a girl friend for yourself.
Believe it/not
February 23, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Wake up guys, as of today no 1 among us Africans above 100yrs can produce you a birth certificate. Prove me wrong, coz i believe even Mandela cant produce 1. So its rather insane asking this guy of a BC, & refering to Sata having produced his aint relevant, unless you tell me Sata is 80…
kazanga wakazanga uko
February 23, 2012 at 6:47 pm
ngiyakuthananda kakulu man
George chipile.
March 7, 2012 at 12:28 pm
It is God that has granted them all the gift of life. Long live Mugabe.Pipo who think will put you to rest must go before you.