Picture: The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje at the incomplete house built for an elderly woman
By OBAKENG MAJE
The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje will hand over a house to an elderly woman in from Magogong village in Taung. Maje built a house using his own money for an elderly woman, Lele Seitshokelo (78), who stays alone in a mud two-roomed house.
This comes after a donor, who was supposed to build a house for Seitshokelo five years ago, disappeared in thin air.
“This incomplete house was abandoned by a donor five years ago and I decided to come and complete it using my own salary from the municipality. Remember, the late Dr Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker, and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.”
“On 18 July every year, everyone is invited to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in their communities. Each and every person has the responsibility to change the world for the better. International Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change,” he said.
Maje further said, as an activist, he lives among the people and the condition Seitshokelo found herself in is inhuman. He added that, one would not expect an elderly person for that matter or even anybody to be subjected to these conditions in this democratic dispensation.
“So, I saw it befitting to come and make a positive contribution as the deployee of the ANC. This will bring back the elderly woman’s dignity. I am using my own resources with support from my family. So, I encourage the youth not to lose hope, but to use various avenues to improve their lives,” said Maje.
Meanwhile, Seitshokelo said she is grateful that Maje came to her rescue. She said it is heart-warming to see people like Maje still in their midst.
“I am happy to see the executive mayor coming to my rescue and spending his 67 minutes of humanity here. I stay with one of my children, but in most cases, I stay alone because she is seldom home.
“I had no hope that one day I’ll receive a decent house after the donor, who was supposed to build me a house disappeared. I am not sure what happened, but I had incomplete structure outside for almost five years,” she said.
Seitshokelo said, when Maje visited her home last year and promised to finish her house, she was skeptical. She said she regained her confidence when indeed he came to do an assessment.
“Finally, he is here with local people to finish the house. Truly, I feel honoured, and may Almighty bless him,” said Seitshokelo.
According to Seitshokelo, she originally comes from Dithakwaneng village, near Kuruman and she relocated to Magogong village during her time while working on the farms. A mother of four said she does not feel safe because there were a few break-in attempts at her house previously.
Meanwhile, the National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said: “Mandela Day is more than an annual global celebration of the birth date of democratic South Africa’s founding father and the first Black President. It serves as a resounding call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide to reflect on Mandela’s timeless values and principles and make a tangible and positive impact in their own communities.
“This day holds profound significance for Parliament, as it not only pays tribute to the founding father of our democracy but also commemorates a man who endured 27 years in prison to liberate South Africans from the shackles of race-based oppression.”
