How widow, 91, is coping after death of husband at age 102

Sengerema. Ninety-one-year-old Chem Mayala from Nyamazugo Village in Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, still vividly recalls the love and peace she shared with her husband, Masasila Kibuta, who passed away at the age of 102 just two months after their wedding.

Speaking to The Citizen during a recent visit to her home in the village, Mayala expressed deep sentiments of loss and longing since her husband’s passing on August 15, 2023, and his burial three days later.

Their marriage, which had captured the hearts of many due to their advanced ages, was officiated on June 17, 2023, by Father Julian Mondula of the Ngomamtimba Parish under the Geita Catholic Diocese.

"I miss him dearly; he left me in profound loneliness,” she shared. “Even with our old age, we lived with genuine love. Now I am alone, holding onto faith that someday we will meet again and continue our love,” she added.

Mayala reflects on her marriage as a unique bond that exemplified the deep affection and purpose they shared, saying, “Our union showed how much we loved each other and fulfilled God’s purpose as elders.”

When overwhelmed by memories, she finds solace by visiting her husband’s graveside to pray.

“Praying there brings me comfort,” she explained. “I encourage the community to remember those who have departed and to maintain their eternal resting places, as I believe this brings blessings from above.”

Their marriage had sparked widespread interest both in and outside Sengerema District.

Chem Mayala was the late Kibuta’s second wife, and together, they had raised a large family of twelve children.

In the wake of her father’s passing, Maria, Mayala’s daughter and current caregiver, appealed to the government for her mother’s inclusion in the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), a programme aimed at supporting vulnerable households.

“Now, I am solely responsible for our mother. Other family members have dispersed to different areas with their families, and with rising living costs, we need support,” said Maria.

Grandchildren Felesian Amos and Sospiter Benjamin also extend assistance to their grandmother when possible, helping her with farming activities to ensure she has food and the essentials she needs.

Neighbour Robart Malehe highlighted the respect and affection Mayala has earned within the community, even after her husband’s passing.

“Despite the loss, she maintains a warm relationship with everyone here. She visits us, and we return the gesture. Truly, we are grateful for God’s grace in blessing us with such an elder who, despite her age, can still walk and remains fully aware of everything around her,” Malehe said.

Mayala’s resilience and the enduring memory of her remarkable marriage stand as a testament to a rare, unbreakable love that continues to inspire those around her.