Premier to celebrate 60th birthday with diverse guest list in Tooseng

The otherwise sleepy hollow that constitutes the village of Tooseng near Lebowakgomo is bound to come alive on Saturday when Premier Stan Mathabatha is set to celebrate the anniversary of a milestone in his life with family, friends and acquaintances from across the country and abroad.
Earlier this week the popping of champagne prematurely announced the arrival of Mathabatha’s 60th birthday and created an opportunity for conducting an interview with Limpopo’s first citizen in the rural environs he calls home. Having played different roles in, among others, the political arena, football and golfing circles as well as the church fraternity, Mathabatha’s guest list is expected to be diverse.
To Mathabatha his next birthday is reason for celebration. Having occasionally lived somewhat of a risky life as a political activist from a young age and surviving encounters that put his life at risk at times, he remembered only having celebrated his 30th in a similar way when he expressed the hope to live to 60, he explained. Looking back at the past six decades, he felt fulfilled, he said. At a younger age the achievement of freedom was always important and most of his close comrades from the same generation fortunately experienced that before passing away. Considering the way in which things were panning out in the country there was much to celebrate, he reckoned. With the future in mind, the Premier said he would be reviving his life with his wife, Margaret, as their three kids were out of the house and they would be making up for the life they never had.
Asked about the expected challenges 2017 held, he said the main focus for the administrative year ahead would be on the health sphere and speeding up plans for an academic hospital as well as the provision of more ambulances and addressing long queues at hospitals, increasing the budget for the construction of roads, development of the two intended Special Economic Zones in the province and steering departments and municipalities away from unfavourable audit outcomes.
Politically he predicted this year to be a hectic one dominated by preparations for the national conference of the African National Congress and its provincial elective conference in the beginning of next year.
But for a brief moment all attention is fixed on arrangements for Saturday’s merriment.

Story & photo: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com

Featured photo: Premier Stan Mathabatha and wife Margaret share a glass of champagne in the environs of Tooseng village prior to his birthday.