A Victor, Not a Victim

She was born underprivileged in Ventersdorp in what was then the Western Transvaal (these days Northwest Province and Eugene Terre'Blanche territory) in a one-roomed house. In this world there was no-one to look up to, no mentors, Mpho Mogotsi told the club at the meeting on Wednesday.

Mpho, who is in charge of the youth portfolio in the new New Dawn board, was talking on the theme of challenges to a woman's dreams for Women's Month.

"For met to go back to my rural roots and giving back, is a no-brainer," she said.

                          Mpho Mogotsi, former Mrs Universe Africa

"My mother made sure I kept my dreams alive. She made it her mission in life that we'd re-educated." She said her mother had improved her own lot to the point where she could work as a secretary and her father was a teacher.

"They spent everything, all their money, for me to spend 5 years at Potchefstroom Girls High. When I went off to school for the week, I knew there was no food in the house."

I was the poorest child at Potch. In Matric I designed my own dress for the Matric dance. I had new shoes and looked at myself in the mirror and my dreams were validated.

"I knew then I was not a victim but had tasted victory."

                   Mpho being congratulated by President Mbali Zulu after her talk

After school she moved to Johannesburg where she met a boy and got married, but he was abusive, "physically, mentally and financially."

She eventually left him as she was afraid for herself and her son, who is now 16 years old. She wrote a book, Awakening to Truth about her experiences and the lessons she has learnt. In it she describes herself as an entrepreneur, life coach, energy healer, visionary, author, gender-based violence activist, humanitarian and philanthropist. She can add TV presenter to that list, as she presents the show Come Alive with Mpho Mogotsi on Soweto TV on Channel 251 on DStv.

She remarried and has three children aged 31 (her husband's son), 16 and 4. After university she was an investment banker for 21 years.

She had tried out for Miss South Africa and then Mrs South Africa, until becoming Mrs Universe Africa offered her the opportunity to represent her country.

     Mpho with Nyami Khanyile, Babette Gallard, Ian Widdop, Joan Sainsbury, President Mbali and Paul Chinn

"Often as women we go through a lot, but we are victors. We have permission to shine. Be fearless, be unapologetic for who you are.

"I want to be the person who intervenes when I see social evils."

Mpho says she was the first one in her family to get a degree, to be on TV, and to write a book and loves the fact that when she goes back to Ventersdorp (she goes often to visit her parents) she can be a role model and mentor to young people in what is still an impoverished area.

   Glen Ross, President of RC Brits-Hartbeespoort, DG Riana Pretorius, John Wesson and PDG Jankees Sligcher

Last weekend a number of Rotarians attended the official opening by PDG Jankees Sligcher of a new lookout hide at the vulture restaurant in the Magaliesberg near the Hartbeespoort Dam. The container for the new hide was donated by Pas Reform Southern Africa, represented by PDG Jankees and Judy Sligcher and their son, Adriaen.

The hide, near the old hide where PDGA Judy Sligcher had her induction before the Covid years, features one-way glass and special hatches for photographers to put their lenses through.

New Dawn members, President Mbali Zulu, Julian Nagy and Linda Vink,  also attended a big strategy session of The Link, one of the main New Dawn projects for which the club obtained a Rotary Foundation Global Grant a few years ago. The Link has had to change focus to some extent and adapt to the changing world brought about by the virus and the lockdowns that went with it, but seem to be going full steam ahead.

Dates to Diarise: The meeting this coming week is a club assemble and also the last opportunity to bring contributions for the Golf Day next Friday. These include selling raffle tickets, contributing to the Barrow of Booze and donating items to be included in the hampers for prize-winning golfers.

A shining example of quick thinking was given by fellow club member Jeni Lobel, who contributed R1400 to the raffle, for instance, by asking friends and family to buy tickets rather than a birthday present for her.

DG Riana Pretorius will be visiting the club on 6 September a meeting where a good turnout will put the club in a good light.

A Thought for the Week: If you wish to avoid seeing a fool, you must first break your mirror. - Francois Rabelais (1484 - 1553)