Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
In a heartwarming turn of events, 122-year-old uMkhulu Anulois Banda has received funeral cover thanks to a South Africa-based funeral services company Zororo-Phumulani.
This comes after his applications for funeral insurance were denied by four different firms in Zimbabwe and South Africa due to his advanced age.
Zororo-Phumulani has stepped in to register uKhulu Banda in their client portfolio free of charge. In addition to providing funeral cover, the company has pledged to buy him a wheelchair and supply him with monthly groceries starting at the end of this month.
“As Zororo-Phumulani, we are not only there to chip in during death but we also do the same in life. We will celebrate the centenarian every day,” said Executive Marketing Manager Tendai Mangot.
Born on December 12, 1903, in Tukuyu, a town on the border of Malawi and Tanzania, uKhulu Banda is believed to be one of the oldest living men in the world. If officially verified, he could surpass the current record-holder, Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before passing away in 1997.
Having moved to then-Rhodesia in the 1920s, uKhulu Banda has witnessed monumental historical events, including colonial rule, both World Wars, and global pandemics. Despite his remarkable lifespan, his family faced significant challenges in securing funeral insurance. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Judith Maphosa, expressed frustration at the rejections they encountered.
“My daughter in South Africa tried to register uKhulu with two Zimbabwean-run funeral policy companies there. They said, ‘he’s too old, he might die anytime,’” she recounted.
“Just like that. Cold and clinical.”
Undeterred, the family continued their search for assistance until Zororo-Phumulani responded.
“uKhulu Banda’s family is deeply grateful to Zororo-Phumulani for their selfless offer to help him secure funeral cover,” Mrs. Maphosa said.
“We’re relieved and thankful for their kindness and support during this challenging time.”
The initiative by Zororo-Phumulani has received widespread praise as a commendable example of corporate social responsibility and human compassion. In a world where centenarians are often overlooked by financial service providers, their actions serve as a reminder of the importance of dignity and care for the elderly—both in life and in death.
As uKhulu Banda continues to enjoy the twilight of his extraordinary life, his story not only inspires but also highlights the need for greater awareness and support for individuals of advanced age.
Zim GBC News©️