Centurion celebrates Mandela Day at the Bakoena royal Household

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Hundred- and one-year old Maggie Mohlolo and her 70-year-old daughter Emily Montshioa spent International Mandela day at the Bakoena royal household with a group of other elderly men and women.

Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli and the executive mayor of Maluti – a – Phofung (MAP) Malekula Melato joined hands to celebrate Mandela day, which is on 18 July, giving back to the elderly community of Namahadi. Hundred and one year old Mohlolo was very happy to be part of this celebration and expressed her gratitude when she received her food parcel and blanket from both Mopeli and Melato. “I am very happy to be here today, and I appreciate the gifts that I have received from Morena e Moholo Moremoholo and our mayor, may the good lord continue to bless them,” Mohlolo who can still talk very well said to this publication.

On behalf of the community Isaac Komako said that it is important to do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. He emphasised the fact that the community of Namahadi will stand by the executive mayor and support her because she has shown kindness and contributed to making their Mandela day a day to remember.

“This is not the first time I meet the mayor; I know her and what she has done for us today may we do the same to her because the bible teaches that ‘do unto others as you’d have them to do unto you’. What Morena e Moholo Moremoholo has done for us today is a very good thing and we are truly thankful and will continue to support his efforts and those of mayor Melato,” Komako said when speaking on behalf of the community.

Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli sitting next to 101-year old Maggie Mohlolo and executive mayor Malekula Melato after handing over food parcel and blanket to the centurion.

For her part Melato said that the elderly people are very close to her heart and the royal household has always been there with her throughout her journey as a leader.

“When Morena e Moholo Moremoholo shared his desire with me that he wanted to give back to the elderly community of Namahadi on Mandela Day I said to him, ‘send me my king’. I would like to acknowledge what Mofumahadi Mathokoana said to me which is that I must be a mayor that listens then my journey as a mayor will be made easy, I will definitely do so” Melato said when addressing the crowd.

On behalf of the royal household Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli thanked the elderly community gathered there who braved the windy weather and spent their Mandela day with the Bakoena royal Household. “I’d like to acknowledge the former executive mayor Masetjhaba Lakaje Mosia who is her to support the very new executive mayor because this is a good sign because Sesotho says that a person asks for directions and guidance from those who have gone before you.

It is good that the new executive mayor is next to Mofumahadi Mathokoana and the former executive mayor because they will show her the way. Today we decided to serve our community, and this is just a small gesture to celebrate Mandela day,” Mopeli said while addressing the crowd.