LIVING near Klerksdorp is a woman who belongs to one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. No amount of money, fame or power can get you in - only great genes.
Johanna Mazibuko is a supercentenarian, making her one of only about 300 000 out of the 7,8 billion people on Earth who has lived past the age of 110.
Having recently celebrated her 128th birthday, Johanna may well be the oldest person on the planet.
The Guinness World record for the longest-living person on record is held by Frenchwoman Jeanne Louise Calment, who died at the age of 122, in 1997.
The oldest verified living person, according to Guinness World Records in April, is also a Frenchwoman who is also the world's oldest living nun, Sister André. She was born Lucile Randon and is 118 years old.
But if people in Johanna's camp have their way, Sister André may well be toppled from her impressive perch.
The Adopt an Elderly campaign - which is run by a local church in Mahikeng in the North West to get recognition for the elderly and to record stories of their lives in pre-1994 South Africa has launched a bid for Johanna to be recognized as the world's oldest person by the famous keepers of all records great and small and everything in between.
It would make Johanna and her family happy if the evidence they're presenting is accepted - including the smart ID card that shows the date of her birth as 11 May 1894.
Johanna has outlived five of her seven children and has 50 great-grandchildren. She's lived in three centuries, through colonialism, apartheid, world wars, and the invention of cars, television, space travel, and cellphones.
She recently celebrated her birthday and the number 128 floats on foil balloons in the living room of her home in Jouberton just outside Klerksdorp.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
