Women celebrated at New Jerusalem

A Women of Passion lunch was served to attendees in honour of the founders and women who have made a contribution to the home.

Founders of the home, advocate Anna Mojapelo and her sister Phina who is a social worker, were described as women full of passion for the work they do.

And this is the plan their mother had for them when she brought them up. Their mother, 89-year-old Miriam Mojapelo, said she did not have the opportunity to take advantage of an education, so she brought up all 11 of her children to appreciate the value of a good education.

“I am so happy to see my girls giving back to the community. As a young girl, my father did not see it as important to educate me. So, I went to school until Standard 2 [Grade 4] just so I could write my name and then I was told, ‘quit’. I vowed that all nine of my girls and two boys would not experience what I did.”

Education did not come easy for the Mojapelo children, though. Phina explained, she and her twin started school at eight years old because they had to care for their younger sister, Anna. “Even after we started school late, I failed Grade 1,” said Phina.

“And Anna caught up with me, but I think that was meant to be because we were then inseparable and we did everything together, including starting this home.”

Singer, Sibongile Khumalo was in attendance and she said she loved the way in which the home operated. “They do things as a family. I was really inspired by the work that they do, when I went to their website when I first received an invite,” said Khumalo.

“I am amazed by what they’ve achieved and see the whole family here to support the two sisters is amazing.”

Although Khumalo did not perform, the day was not short of entertainment. Lerorile Theatre Group put on a reflective play about the way in which South African women are treated by their counterparts. They explored topics such as rape, the effects of alcohol and physical abuse. In between the speeches, guitar player, Qondea Avril, serenaded the ladies.

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