Protea
JORETA Protea Area – Write Up
Since inception to date
How it all began from Ms Winnie Motlhaola, our 2023 Octogenarian relating Ms Susan Mophosho’s story.
Ms S. Mophosho was nearing her retirement, and attended a workshop where white retired teachers were facilitating. They invited her to come to their meeting to observe and show her how they run their retired teachers organisation.
She then took one HOD to attend that meeting. They were generous in showing her how they run their organisation. Having been exposed to that information she invited five retirees, shared the information and JORETA was formed that is in 1989 with about 20 members.
Protea veterans joined JORETA and their meetings were held at Mooki in Orlando.
Protea Area meetings
Protea was later established with 10 members. Protea Area’s first chairperson was Ms Dorcas Mdletshe, who diligently led the organisation. One of the Protea members was Mr. Dan Musi. He was chairperson of JORETA Mother Body during the period 2007 – 2010. He compiled our hymnal and he also remembers at one stage going to Pretoria to register JORETA as an NPO, and he also assisted in compiling the constitution. Protea Area appreciates his contribution of this growing organisation JORETA.
During their Protea Area Meetings they taught each other Rafia shoe making, sewing, hymn singing and going out to places of interest in Soweto . Mr. Musi’s deputy chairperson during his period was Ms Mankonono Seuoe also from Protea Area (MHSRIP).
Protea Area meetings were held in their homes and membership grew. They paired members to cater for members in the meetings. As membership grew the venue where Area meetings were held became smaller. From the members’ houses, the next move was inevitable, JORETA Protea Area’s new home was now 10206 Boulevard Street Protea Glen Ext 12 next to Farananai Primary School. This is one of Protea Area members business place. The membership grew, a new home was hunted, we then moved our meetings to a hall in extension 2 Naledi. Pandemic came knocking, this venue became a vaccination centre because it is in the same yard with the clinic. We moved again to where Protea Area meetings are now held. What a journey!!!
Venue For Meetings
Protea Area meetings are held at AFM Church, corner Mdlalose and Mugabe Street, a stone throw from Protea Point (a small shopping centre) this makes parking a bit reasonable.
Our meetings are held every 1st Monday of the month. This church is big and Protea Area members come to the meetings in great numbers. As a tradition, members always bring along their hymnals and our choir conductor Ms Danisile Manikela enjoys music and we continue to sing different hymns. This is the tradition that started when Protea Area was established.
The duration of our meetings is 09:30 – 10:00 signing the register, 10:00 we start the meeting and finish at 12:00. After the meeting members get scones and tea/cold drink, our capable friendly hospitality team serve us. Okumnandi catering used to serve us cooked food but after the pandemic it is cakes and drinks.
Membership Growth
Every month we register new members and our membership stands at 216, 192 females and 24 Males. As the constitution dictates, members are allowed to be part of us within a period of twelve months after retirement.
We have 2 Nonagenarians (Martha Kgampe and B. Mavuso Mabhece. This year the area celebrated 4 octogenarians Ms Sebolelo Moleko, Ms Winnie Motlhaola, Zodwa Nqwebo and Snowy Booi).
Health/ Wellness
JORETA Protea Area had a subcommittee. This subcommittee was run by passionate, dedicated, visionary members, under the leadership of Mr Bushy M. Mabece. Mr Bushy Mabece was once a Protea Area chairperson before. The health team had a list of house bounds and caregivers.
During the visit to the members, this team designed their own cards. JORETA logo outside, inside the card a verse Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Take comfort in knowing the Lord shall renew your strength “. These cards had different verses and prayers. Members who were hospitalised were also visited by this dedicated team. The current health team members still visit the sick and house bounds but mostly rely on communication through the phone.
The second inside page is a poem.
“Poem For The Sick
Until you are well,
be patient and wart…”
– Unknown
Bereavement
Memorial services were done for Protea members and in turn Protea Area members attended other JORETA Areas memorial services. The late Ms Lindiwe Mahlangu (MHSRIP) as a coordinator for this subcommittee introduced groups led by members of the bereavement committee. She placed 10 members under each leader for an away memorial service, 1 group attends. The groups will rotate for all away memorial services. This strategy worked wonders and memorial services were always attended by Protea members. When the contribution is taken to the family it will also be accompanied by a wreath. Our hospitality team also serve cakes and tea/ cold drink during the memorial service.
Bereavement team also celebrate “All Saints” in November. This serves to commemorate Protea Area members who passed on during that year. Members who passed on from the beginning of the pandemic until 2022. MTSRIP Ms Lindiwe Mahlangu (Bereavement 2019 coordinator).
Ms Elizabeth Nkoane (Former Secretary)
Mr Ezrom Thobane (deputy Secretary [2019])
Ms Andrina Tshabalala
Ms Lucy Nyaloko (former member of the health team)
Ms Betty Lenong
Protea Tours
Tours promote team work and encourage members to socialize, refresh and expand the knowledge about other places. Members of the community are also encouraged to join these tours.
The tours that were undertaken by Protea JORETA members visiting near and far places: Pretoria museum using Gautrain, lunch in Menlyn in Pretoria, Carnival City, Monte Casino and Emperor’s palace. Johannesburg Z00 during Senior Citizen month in October.
Some members were taking tours with Kwinda Tour to Cape Town Garden Route, Mpumalanga, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe via Botswana and Thailand. The current tour is Zanzibar the ultimate Indian Ocean experience with exquisite white sandy beaches. They will visit the spice farms, the Stone Town and all what Zanzibar can offer.
Celebrations
Beginning of the year committees submit their year plans and Culture team goes to town with theirs.
Protea celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, members paint Protea Area red, the dress code is red and white and all members become excited and receive a pack of chocolate.
In May Protea celebrate Mother’s Day, and this team shower all Protea mothers with gifts. In June Protea Fathers are showered with gifts and with gratitude they receive their gifts.
2022 Protea closing party was held at Silver Star, where 2 luxury buses were hired. Household who did not attend were given R200 Pick ‘n Pay or Woolworths vouchers.
Hospitality and Culture
Our Culture co-ordinator (Queen Makhubu and Sabeng Mphafi culture Secretary) were responsible for all culture activities, until they were voted to be co-ordinators for Mother Body in the following portfolios Hospitality and Culture. They are outdoing themselves whenever organising a Mother Body event. Protea Area members are so proud of their talents and the willingness to serve in their portfolios, and for sure are brilliant. Shine twins shine!!!
Octogenarians are celebrated again in Protea Area. Since Protea area’s establishment, the total number of octogenarians is twenty six, four 2023 Octogenarians included.
Every month Protea celebrate members’ birthdays. The celebrants choose their theme, wear those colours and after the meeting go to a place where they all continue with their special food and drinks, members support the celebrants.
Celebration for heritage, members wear their cultural clothing and dance to the tune of their cultural songs.
Links with community structures
Protea has entered into joint venture with SAPS, in relation to addressing schools with problematic learners. There comes a time when we invite community members during our trips, or vice versa. Protea Area members participate in local activities offered by NGO’s in general wellness.
Sponsorship/ Sponsors
Sponsorship are rare to come by, so far we were given a big birthday cake by Kofifi Café to celebrate March birthdays.
Fundraising drive
It is common practice to have fundraising drive like fining members who do not comply with the requirement of events e.g. Heritage Day or Valentine’s Day.
Protea Area Funds
The treasurer Ms Pauline Raphata has 8 members who are group leaders. All Protea members are under a group leader.
The treasurer prepares her spread sheet and each group leader assist by contacting members whose funds are running dry.
This is done diligently and that is why Protea Area funds are growing. Those members who are very sick, their families assist, and leaders communicate with family members.
Assets/ Resources
We have a banner and a person behind Protea banner was the bereavement co-ordinator, the late Ms Lindiwe Mahlangu. She encouraged the then executive to purchase a banner.
- Flag (Protea flag)
- Folding tables (2)
- Table cloth with Protea JORETA logo
- Gazebo
- Laptop
- Printer
- Urn
- Cellphone-Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Lectern
- PA System
- Regalia – Golf shirt, scarves and ties
What an Area to be part of, chairperson labels it “The Mighty Protea”. This is the Area’s Byline.
The Mighty Protea Lineup Previous Chairpersons
Mrs Dorcas Mdletshe.
Maria Motebele
Dudu Gongotha
Bushy Mabhece
Kenneth Pepsi Radebe
Mrs Caroline Makause (Deputy chairperson)
The Present Executive
Chairperson: Mr Bethuel Mahlabakoe
Cell Phone :083 316 0695
Email: mahlabakoeb@gmail.com
Deputy chairperson: Mr Charles T. Mathivha
:078 664 3986
Secretary: Ms Susan Thekiso
:072 187 8474
Deputy secretary: Mr Johannes Molefe
:082 588 0240
Treasurer: Ms Pauline Raphata
:067 222 7831
Chairperson’s contact details: 083 316 0695