Byline: Levhuwani Matumba
08 March 2022
Golden Oldies members together with some members of the community and family members celebrated Gogo Ethel Makhele 81st birthday on 08 March 2022 in Kinross.
Gogo Makhele is a well-known community leader within the Mpumalanga Province.
Her leadership role includes being a provincial leader for Age in Action (which is the body representing more than 2.7 million older people in South Africa).
She is also known for organizing marches advocating for the rights of elderly persons within Govan Mbeki Municipality.
In her speech at the 81st birthday celebration, Gogo Makhele said it is her first time since she was born to be invited to her surprise birthday party.
“I did celebrate my birthday previously, but all the celebrations were organized by myself.
This time I am speechless because I did not even notice anything or hear people talk about it.
This morning when I pass here at the centre, I saw my peers wearing the same colour and I asked them why they did not inform me to wear the same, I did not get an answer,” said Gogo Makhele.
Mpumi Ndinisa speaking on behalf of the family of Gogo Makhele thanked Golden Oldies members, Memory Twala, Dan Nhlapo, Levhuwani Matumba, and other community members who contributed to Gogo’s birthday celebration.
