Woman’s ‘amazing ability’ earns her a provincial award

By Moraka Mehale

An inspirational speaker from Sebokeng was awarded a community heroine award at the Vita Basadi Awards 2022 in recognition of her work in the Vaal Triangle township.

Mapule Moloto (37) visits schools in her community to make an impact through motivational talks. She also visits youth centres to teach children with various impairments how to work on their talents. She told ThisAbility that the award was a “reassurance to me to continue contributing positively to the community”.

According to Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) senior media specialist Thabisile Nzuke, the awards are “an initiative of the GPL which aims to recognise excellence by Gauteng women in various areas of work and acts of service to fellow citizens without the means to help themselves”.

She also said the awards provide a “networking platform for women stakeholders and afford women in different industries the recognition they deserve for their selfless contributions to empowering others”.

Vita Basadi Awards have nine categories: outstanding youth philanthropist, youth dignitary, unsung legend, community builder of the year, guardian, community heroine, woman of honour, outstanding creative, lifetime achievement and speaker’s special award. Community members nominate people based on the work they are doing. Therefore, Moloto was honoured based on the number of nominations and her work.

“Mapule has given her all in helping everyone around her and going beyond. It is in the spirit of perseverance, passion armed with prayer that a woman of her stature can continue to achieve”, said Nzuke.

During her motivational talks, Moloto, who has cerebral palsy, which affects a person’s ability to move, maintain balance and posture, shares her life experiences. She describes disabilities as “amazing abilities” to encourage those having various impairments to focus on their abilities and not their limitations.

“I organise events for people with amazing abilities to [shine a] light on the different amazing abilities they have. This also is to encourage families that live with people with amazing abilities,” says the author and businesswoman.

She turned the “amazing abilities” concept into her brand name, and published her first book in 2018, Amazing Abilities in which she shares her childhood experience of being born with cerebral palsy, having difficulty with movement and thinking ability, how she realised that she was different from other children, and how her disability sharpened her ability.

Moloto wants the book to help the next generation because “It is always encouraging to hear stories from someone who is born with amazing abilities.”

“Being born with a cerebral palsy condition, some challenges I faced [include] that I used to compare myself with other kids that I cannot do what they were doing when playing, also tie shoelaces and combing my hair were difficult for me,” says Moloto. She started her motivational journey to encourage people with impairments to accept themselves and to use their abilities to accomplish their goals.

After completing a short course in catering and baking in 2004, she started running a catering service. She also enjoys going to gym where she does cardio exercises and bike workouts.

Karabo Pitso (29), Moloto’s personal assistant with the Amazing Abilities brand said, “I felt extremely happy and proud to have witnessed such an achievement in Mapule’s life. This award is a true demonstration of her hard work and determination.”

Pitso, who assists Moloto on a voluntary basis, says, “It has been close to a decade now of being [her] wing woman and I am truly in awe of how she has grown from when she started in 2008 to an award-winning public figure.” She would like to encourage those who live with people with disabilities to love and support them. “Mapule is a product of love, unfailing support and look how far it has carried her. Imagine what you can do for your relatives with amazing abilities by just providing that support and love.”