​Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and Emfuleni Local Municipality, hosted a centenary event on Saturday, 26 July 2025 at the Revival of the Ministry Church in Evaton, Southern Corridor, to celebrate Gogo Masesi Maria Mvulane, who recently turned 100 years old. In line with the Older Persons Act and the International Madrid Plan on Ageing, the Department of Social Development aims to prolong the independence of older persons in communities.
The Department of Social Development is responsible for implementing the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006. This Act aims to create an environment that will protect and promote the dignity, social, physical, and mental well-being of older persons.

Addressing those in attendance, Honorable Thulani Kunene, a representative from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, shared that in 1925, when Gogo Mvulane was born, the then republic of South Africa was only 15 years old and that any person who is more than 70 years old is blessed. This is a true reflection that if the younger generation respects the elderly, as the Bible says, their days on earth will be prolonged. “We are here today to celebrate this big milestone, and we should all take a page from Gogo’s testament. Today, because as old as she is, she can walk on her own, she can hear clearly, and she can do daily activities without any assistance, he said.

Kunene also made a plea to everyone present not to abuse the elderly and specifically asked the youth not to take older persons’ social grant money, as that money is for the needs of the elderly.

Puleng Rafube from Emfuleni Local Municipality shared that when they heard Gogo recently turned 100, they could not let the important milestone to pass and decided to come and celebrate Gogo’s milestone, as it also shows that the government cares about the elderly. “When we came to your house on Mandela Day, Gogo, we were surprised and impressed when we found you washing the blankets and curtains,” she said.

When given the opportunity to share a few words of wisdom with everyone present, Gogo shared that she has outlived all her friends and relatives and that from 14 siblings, she is the only one left. Gogo revealed she has never drunk alcohol and does not get angry; instead, she cries when she is angry, and she hardly ever gets sick and does not take any medication. “My wish for the youth of today is for them to stay away from alcohol and drugs, to respect their elders, and to make God the center of their lives,” she added.