New Jerusalem Children’s Home founder Anna ‘Mme Anna’ Mojapelo celebrated her 65th birthday on September 5, surrounded by family, friends, community members and business partners at her President Park residence.

The celebration reflected her impact through her work with vulnerable children, community relationships and commitment to creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

The celebration included a Kofifi dance by the New Jerusalem dance group, a Christmas club dance, a staff performance and video messages from Lanto Montessori International Schools alumni.

Read more: New Jerusalem Children’s Home celebrates beloved house mother’s 60th birthday

Mojapelo and her late sister, Phina, founded New Jerusalem in 2000 to provide a home for children orphaned by HIV/Aids. The home has since grown to accommodate 120 disadvantaged children.

Believing that children need more than a place to live, Mojapelo founded Lanto Montessori International Schools in 2009 to educate children from the home and the surrounding community.

Her daughter, Dr Palesa Phalafala, described her mother as a woman whose life had been defined by ambition, faith and service. “Life is not a spectator sport. You can’t come into this world and just sit around and think that you’re going to be a spectator,” said Phalafala, quoting her mother.

Celebration of a multi-faceted life

Reflecting on her mother’s journey, Phalafala said Mojapelo had lived several remarkable chapters, from being a beauty pageant winner at university to becoming a lawyer, a businesswoman and an advocate for vulnerable people.

She said her mother had been crowned Miss Elerince and Miss Turfloop, before pursuing a career in law and later entering business. “She was a businesswoman with her co-pilot, Mme Phina Mojapelo,” said Phalafala, recalling how the sisters worked together in the private security industry before turning their attention to caring for children.

Afra Crime Busters, the security company co-founded and run by Mojapelo, became another chapter in the sisters’ story. In 1998, Phina left her career as a social worker to assist Anna in running the firm. After the company closed, the sisters went on to establish New Jerusalem.

Also read: New Jerusalem and Montessori Preschool celebrate milestones in nurturing young minds

Phalafala said the sisters’ partnership grew from a modest home in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, into a legacy that now includes a nursery school, primary school and high school. “I don’t think that they could have even dreamt of what they could have built.”

She also highlighted her mother’s love of travel, describing her as an explorer who had visited every continent and continued to discover the world.

Impact across generations

Throughout her speech, Phalafala returned to the impact Mojapelo had made on children’s lives, stating that some had gone on to become lawyers and teachers, while others had received opportunities to study overseas. “My mother has said, ‘Please give me my flowers when I’m still alive’. So, every day is a grateful blessing for her to be here to continue this legacy.”

Mojapelo’s brother, Statue, who served as the master of ceremonies, described the birthday as a celebration of a woman whose generosity had reached far beyond her immediate family. “Today, we celebrate not just a birthday, but 65 years of life that has touched, lifted, healed and changed many people,” he said.

He described his sister as a philanthropist, prayer warrior and leader who made people feel safe, valued and cared for. “In Sepedi, we say, ‘Ke motho yo analeng letsogo, — She is a person who always gives.”
Statue said Mojapelo’s compassion extended beyond status, background or circumstance, describing her as a citizen of the world who connected people wherever she went.

He thanked her for her generosity, prayers and compassion, and wished her many more years of health, peace and fulfilment. “May every seed of kindness that you’ve planted return to you many, many more times.”

As the celebration continued, the performances and tributes served as a reminder that Mojapelo’s legacy extends beyond the organisations she founded. It lives in the children she has raised, the opportunities she has created and the people whose lives she has touched.

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