AFTER A two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, all hands were on deck for the eighth Enos Mafokate Equestrian Foundation-hosted Nelson Mandela Day cleanup campaign at the Soweto Equestrian Centre around the Elkah sports precinct in Rockville.
The preceding campaign having been last held in 2019 just before the advent of rolling lockdowns, had this year’s iteration comprising droves of enthusiastic volunteers from various entities such as Johannesburg Expo Centre, Megatong IT Nursery Cooperation, 4 Racing, Nelsa Ines Fumo, Milmac Feeds, RLabs, Wits Health Hub, Ronewa Creations, Judy Ranoto Foundation, Pinsent Masons LLC, etc., descending onto the centre founded by Kwaito hitmaker, Arthur Mafokate’s dad, Enos – for a day of stables painting, flower planting, trees trimming, cleaning of a children’s play area, as well as the grooming and riding of horses.
The day, falling parallel with the UN General Assembly-declared Nelson Mandela International Day – and in addition to occurring pending a period officially recognized as the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace (from 2019 to 2028) – exuded the very letters of Theodore Roosevelt’s exhortation, “do what you can, with what you have, where you are!”
After 42 years of involvement in matters equestrian and having started the Rockville centre with two kids and one horse back in 1988, Mafokate – whose commendable and expansive resume has him as the first Black showjumper on the African continent – still lives up to the moniker, Kgoshi ya dipere (lord of horses), as his resourcefulness continues maintaining a sanctuary operated sans any substantial sponsorship nor funding to talk about.
A one-man empire whose hands-on knack has him performing tasks ranging from the administration of the centre to instructing pre-teenagers how to ride a horse – Mafokate, a well-travelled fellow, has lots of stories to tell, as was the case in the morning before the cleanup commenced when he held court to an assembly of news media corps.
Commanding his space in front of a regal horse carriage he hires out for weddings – he took members of the Fourth Estate down memory’s lane by regaling them with tales regarding his participation in the Barcelona Olympics of 1992, his association with the British Royal Family (whose member, Anne, the Princess Royal, even came to visit the Soweto centre in April 2012), amongst a wealth of experiences he’s lived through.
Yet in the same breath, he held back no punches by laying into those in Black neighbourhoods who were opposed to his establishment of a centre which used to be a mere, unkempt veld.
Exposing their baseless objections – he revealed to about 100 assembled volunteers, how the same critics were guilty of the ill-treatment of the equine creatures, yet had the nerve to issue forth death threats his way!
For this iteration of Mandela Day, Mafokate had a treat for his mostly young charges as a trio of professional jockeys were in attendance to give them a demonstration of horseracing as opposed to show riding – which his centre concerns itself mainly with.
“Fantastic to be here!” Renown jockey, Gavin Lerena remarked whilst addressing the children, amongst whom were many from the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela School. “Lovely to be here,” resonated fellow jockey, 24-year young Nathan Klint, who has only been riding in the pro ranks for just over a year but already boasts a fourth place finish in the 2020 Summer Cup.
The place, which has a sprite trickling through it, was a hive of activity as bands of volunteers – some in overalls – got their hands dirty by painting stables, barrier rocks, and planting of flowers by the ladies landscaping and gardening team of Ronewa Creations.
Elsewhere, a refreshments station serving fresh popcorns and fruit kept the workers strength sustained throughout the task at hand. Another stakeholder present was Turffontein Raceway-based entity, 4 Racing whose CEO, Fundi Sithebe expressed her company’s pride for partnering with the Mafokate Foundation.
Also in attendance was a pillar of sustenance throughout the centre’s lifespan in the person of Debbie Copeman, of Milmac Feeds – an entity which continues seeing to the animals’ nutrition.
The centre’s youngsters presented Copeman with a custom made ‘Thank You’ card in appreciation of her role.
A rounded day, whilst various duties were being attended to, a group of young practitioners from the Wits Health Hub dispensed health education amongst volunteers, as well as running blood pressure tests. Their effort was rewarded with first time experiences in mounting.
Meanwhile, representatives of another entity handed out gift packs of school utensils to kids.
Another attendee was the local Ward Councilor, Nompumelelo Mazibuko, who expressed an appreciation for the work the septuagenarian mentor was performing for the community. Whether her presence had any bearing on the future sustainability of the centre, or was in keeping with the usual appearances and paying of lip service local politicians are adept at – was a matter left to actions and time! In the past, Mafokate has expressed his disappointment with the lack of buy-in from bureaucrats.
Mafokate’s wife of 58 years, Grace, watched the proceedings keenly whilst casting a watchful eye on 5-year young granddaughter, Melo – whose granddad appeared to dote over.
The paterfamilias seems to had rightfully passed his acumen onto members of his family – with his grandson, Lesego (Arthur’s son) not only performing programme directing on the day, but also operating the public address system. Also present to lend moral support was Mafokate’s daughter, Owame.
Around lunchtime after most of the campaign’s to-dos had been taken care of, the volunteers en masse were treated to a meal of hamburgers and fries washed down with an assortment of soft drinks under a rather warm winter sun!
Responding to an inevitable enquiry regarding the safeguarding of his exceptional legacy, Mafokate assured that he has already put a succession plan in place with his having mentored most of his progeny in the running of the centre.
An installation displayed on the afore-mentioned carriage – which he mentioned was built specially for him – alongside an adornment of trophies garnered from a plethora of contests, best described the important role he plays in society.
It is signed as being from equestrian centre members and reads thus: ‘We believe that Mr Enos Mafokate is a true leader that is serving others wholeheartedly.‘
Image Jacob MAWELA (Enos Mafokate recorded addressing a gathering of news media representatives covering the Nelson Mandela Day at Soweto Equestrian Center, Rockville).
