‘If you don’t get older, you die’ – Rozinah Mwakideu fires back at ageism trolls
Gospel singer and minister Rozinah Mwakideu has strongly called out ageism on social media, urging people to embrace growing older instead of shaming others for it.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, after facing criticism over a recent photo she shared online, Rozinah revealed that some users labelled her “old”, a comment she says reflects a deeper problem in how society views ageing.
You might also like
She made it clear that she has no issue with her age, noting that she openly celebrates every birthday.
The gospel singer shared that she marked her 50th birthday last year and considers it a milestone worth embracing, not hiding.
“Ageism is a real thing. I posted a photo of myself the other day, and mtu akaenda akasema old, and if now me, I celebrate my age every time I turn a year older; I celebrate, and last year I celebrated turning 50, and it is not a secret. I celebrate when I get older,” Rozinah said.
Rozinah emphasised that ageing is inevitable and should be appreciated, pointing out that life offers only two options: one grows older or dies. For her, choosing to celebrate each passing year is a conscious and grateful decision.
“The truth of the matter is, there are only two options: you either get older or you die, and as for me, I choose to celebrate when I get older,” she added.
She also highlighted that ageing comes with wisdom, experience and growth, qualities that cannot be rushed or acquired overnight.
According to her, many of the lessons older people carry are shaped by time and lived experiences.
“Ageing is a blessing; ageing comes with a lot of things that sometimes you can never have when you are younger,” Rozinah stated.
Age-based trolling
At the same time, she expressed concern over rising age-based trolling, especially on social media. Rozinah noted that some young people behave as though ageing is avoidable, often dismissing older individuals as irrelevant or out of place.
“Unfortunately, it is almost as if, especially on social media, many people like to troll others just because of their age. Ageism is a real thing; it is almost as if young people think that they will not get older, think that they will not age, and again, if you do not get older, you die,” she said.
She contrasted this with past generations, saying there was more respect for older people, unlike today, where some online users seem to undermine their value.
“When we were growing up, we respected older people, but mimi sijui nini imehappen sahizi; the younger people, most of them on social media, they want to act as if you are of a certain age, you cannot show up, you cannot be present, you have no value because of age,” she noted.
“Some of the experiences that older people have can only come with age, and you cannot think that you will remain young forever. Age is one of the mandatory things, just like death.”
