Moloko Temo

Who was Moloko Temo?

Moloko "Koko" Temo was a South African woman who claimed to be the oldest living person in the world at 134 years of age. She claimed an age at least six years older than that of any other living claimant, but her claim has never been verified by Guinness World Records.

As reported by ITN's Martin Geissler for ITV News, Temo claimed she was born on 4 July 1874, making her 134 years old. Official records were not kept at that time. Her claim is documented by a government passport identity document issued to her in 1988, according to the Afrikaans-language Beeld Daily, based on testimonials by family members. The age claimed may have been a guess.

Blind since the 1950s, she lived in Limpopo Province, South Africa, with a daughter reportedly now aged over 90. She was survived by another daughter and 29 grandchildren, and also had 59 great-grandchildren and at least 5 great-great-grandchildren. Her longevity did not seem to be a result of a healthy diet: her favorite foods were spinach, meat, sweets, and Coca-Cola. Temo said the secret to being the "oldest person in history" is a "trust in God and respect for your parents".