Desmond Boshego
LIMPOPO – AS part of Mandela Day commemorations, Mabokelele Farmers Market and Moletjie residents paid gogo Mmatlou Mabasa (101) from Mabokelele in Moletjie a visit on Saturday.
She was presented with a R1 000 voucher from Mabokelele Farmers Market.
Mabasa has five children, three of whom have passed away, 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
She told Express that she led a good life.
“I lead a good life with peace and this has been a long journey indeed. This is a huge gift from my God and I really appreciate it. Self respect, respect for elders and even young people is what got me to this age today. I grew up eating fresh vegetables and fruit. I advise the younger generation to respect their elders and look after themselves so that they will live long lives. Respect is the only tool to a longer and healthy life. I thank God because he has been protecting me from the days of my childhood until now,” she said.
Mabasa can still hear, see, speak and walk on her own.
She said she never made it to school, but worked as a domestic worker.
“It was not easy at all during our childhood because we suffered a lot. We had no education and better jobs and we were forced to be domestic workers.
“The Apartheid regime denied us education. It was difficult for me to grow up not being able to read and to write my name, but what makes me happy is that Mandela fought for democracy for the younger generation,” she said.
Her son, Jones Mabasa (75), said he was proud of his mother.
“It was great to be raised by a strong woman like mama Mmatlou.She taught me what life is and she taught me to always respect people,” he said.
Mabokelele Farmers Market manager, Alfonzo Harmse, said he was also proud of gogo Mabasa.
“It has been great pleasure to meet her. We decided to celebrate Mandela Day with her and we are going to take care of her. She is our role model and she motivated us a lot, we wish her many years to come and a good life,” said Harmse.
