From Fiji Sun (September 6 2022)

Mekatoa Hae

What Keeps Me Going: 96-year-old

The secret to long life, he said, was choosing a healthy lifestyle because it would be motivational to keep discovering what God has in store

by josefa babitu

He is 96 years old but he is still going strong. Mekato'a Hae still walks around his village of Noatau in Rotuma often without a walking cane.

He shared some of his daily routine that's kept him strong.

"I always walk around as a form of exercise to keep my blood flowing," he said through a translator.

"I have three children. One of them is overseas, the other is in Suva. My other child passed away a long time ago."

His wife passed away more than 20 years ago.

"It was soon after having our children that she passed away and I catered for my children who have moved on to greener pastures," he said Mr Hae lives by himself.

"I get to do what I want every day to keep me going. One of the villagers here provides for me, they get me food," he added.

"It is good to see that there are good Samaritans in my village."

The secret to long life, he said, was choosing a healthy lifestyle because it would be motivational to keep discovering what God has in store.

Fighting NCD

Mr Hae said Rotuma has an abundance of organic foods that can help fight non-communicable diseases.

"Everyone has a purpose and it is important that you continue to achieve your purpose in life. The longer you live, the more things you discover and achieve," he said.

"I always make sure that I don't overwork myself because if I do then I become tired the next day. It will soon become a trend if I continue to do so."

"Try to be productive in your hours of working so that your work is done on time."