Meet Zimbabwe's Oldest Pensioner: 114-Year-Old NRZ Retiree Still Receiving Pension

By Southerton Business Times | Mt Darwin

A 114-year-old man from Mt Darwin is believed to be Zimbabwe's oldest surviving pensioner, continuing to receive his National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) pension more than four decades after retiring while enjoying remarkable health and independence.

Chazimbwa Kachikunje, who was born on 1 January 1912 in neighbouring Mozambique, retired from the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) in 1986 after 30 years of service. At 114, he is still drawing a pension from the National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund, 40 years after leaving formal employment. Living in Village 10 under Chief Nembire in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province, Kachikunje remains mobile and mentally alert despite his advanced age.

Still Walking Strong at 114

Unlike many people of similar age, Kachikunje does not use a walking stick and can walk without assistance. Family members say his eyesight remains exceptionally good, and he has not been diagnosed with common age-related illnesses such as dementia or prostate cancer.

He credits his longevity to faith rather than any special lifestyle.

"It is God's grace," Kachikunje said, adding that he follows no special diet or health regimen.

His wife, who is 64 years old, said he maintains a simple daily routine that includes taking cold baths, even during winter. She said he occasionally walks to a nearby river on his own to bathe.

A Life of Hard Work

Kachikunje's journey began in Mozambique before he migrated to what is now Zimbabwe in search of employment. Like many migrant workers of his generation, he took on physically demanding jobs after missing out on formal education. He first worked as a farm labourer in the Darwendale area before securing employment at Engledon in 1951. He later joined the National Railways of Zimbabwe at Concession as a loader.

His work involved manually loading heavy bags of maize, coal, tobacco bales and rolls of barbed wire onto railway wagons.

"It was hard labour, but we had no choice but to endure it. Most of us came from poor backgrounds in Mozambique," he recalled.

"We had not gone to school, we had left parents and siblings back home and better-paying opportunities could only be found here in Zimbabwe."

Promotion Changed His Career

A turning point came in 1964 when Kachikunje obtained a driver's licence. The qualification earned him a promotion from loader to company driver, transporting NRZ officials between offices and airports in destinations including Machipanda, Masvingo, Gweru and Bulawayo. He remained in that position until retiring in 1986 after three decades of service.

Four Decades of Retirement

Following retirement, Kachikunje returned to rural Mt Darwin, where he continues to live with his wife, children and grandchildren. He is the father of seven children, six of whom are still alive, and says he has more than 40 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although he says the value of his pension has declined over the years due to economic challenges, he remains grateful for the monthly payment.

The pension helps the family purchase essential household items such as sugar, cooking oil, and meet everyday expenses, including milling grain. His story highlights the enduring importance of occupational pension schemes in supporting retired workers, even as many pensioners continue to face the challenge of diminished purchasing power after years of inflation.

Zimbabwe's oldest pensioner