A South African who was thought to be the oldest man in the world has died at the age of 116.
Fredie Blom's identity documents showed he was born in Eastern Cape province in May 1904, although that was never verified by Guinness World Records.
When he was a teenager, his entire family was wiped out by the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. He went on to survive two world wars and apartheid.
Mr Blom told the BBC in 2018 that there was no special secret to his longevity.
"There's only one thing - it's the man above [God]. He's got all the power. I have nothing. I can drop over any time but He holds me," he said.
Mr Blom spent most of his life as a labourer - first on a farm and then in the construction industry - and only retired when he was in his 80s.
Although he gave up drinking many years ago, he was a regular smoker.
However, a coronavirus-related lockdown imposed by the South African government reportedly meant he was unable to buy tobacco to roll his own cigarettes on his 116th birthday.
Mr Blom's family said he died of natural causes in Cape Town on Saturday.
"Two weeks ago oupa [grandfather] was still chopping wood," family spokesman Andre Naidoo told AFP news agency. "He was a strong man, full of pride."
But within days Mr Blom shrank "from a big man to a small person", he added.
Mr Naidoo said the family did not believe his death was related to Covid-19
Latest Stories
-
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
2 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
2 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
2 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
2 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
2 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
2 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
3 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
3 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
3 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
4 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
4 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
4 hours -
Bawku Conflict: National Security fully aware of events – Bawku Naaba’s lawyer
4 hours -
Dodome to celebrate festival in a bid to construct traditional council facility
4 hours