It was with excitement and happiness that Dyaloyi July Gwampi turned 112 years old on Sunday 12 April. When told that he turned 112 years old that Sunday morning. There was a moment of silence as he sat appearing to think deeply, then he repeated softly “I am 112 years old today. That is a lot of years”. He is however thankful to have many good memories and still be living well.
Gwampi was born in the area of Elliot in the Eastern Cape by the parents Baskiti (Father) and Nodathini (mother). He did not attend school, as he had to look after the cattle and sheep. When he reached adulthood, he went to work in the gold mines Johannesburg.
His parents moved from Elliot to Ingcobo where he also worked at the construction of the road between Ingcobo and Elliot.
Later they moved from Ingcobo to Cradock where they worked on a number of different farms. One of them was called Grootklip. It was in Grootklip that he lost his eye in an accident while wire fencing the garden. His son John, who was working on Kolonie plaas in 1968 to 1982, asked the farmer for accomodation and employment for them. In 1998 Gwampi started to experience problems with his second eye, and John who already moved to work in Graaff- Reinet at BKB, brought them to live with him.
July was born with six children, four daughters and two sons. Their parents were married in the traditional way (there was no paper work done). Gwampi had seven children, and only four are still alive today. John Gwampi lived in Graaff Reinet, Julia Loliwe, Phelile Gwampi and Kaizer Stenga Gwampi lived in Bredasdorp.
Gwampi still has a sound memory. His speech is still loud and clear but he feels his age creeping in. He is quick in answering and responding to questions, or correcting your pronunciation. When talking about his sons and daughters where the first son was Zisusile, he said no, Uzisusile.
Gwampi said he was never a “naughty boy” – they always respected their elders. He never stole anything from anyone. They used to play in the forest in Ingcobo, and played stick fighting. They used to eat natural herbs in the “veld”. Dyaloyi’s extended family includes 13 grandchildren, 27 great children and 10 great great grandchildren.
