Sometimes the news we hear is rather sad and depressing, especially in South Africa at the moment. Then, out of the blue, we receive a snippet of news that brightens the day and reminds us that we are helping people, albeit one at a time, to reach their dreams.   The letter below merits a brief introduction to Mrs Kedibone Mokwena and her work.

Mrs Kedibone Mokwena

Mrs Mokwena has a long association with the Sisters of Mercy. Her children were pupils at Tsogo High School (the school run by the Mercies in Mmakau) and in the late 1980’s she joined the staff of the Winterveldt Mercy Adult Education Centre, and so began her interest and involvement in the very important work of the education of the young and not so young people who had been deprived of basic education during the apartheid era.

While working in Winterveldt, Mrs Mokwena did a Master’s Degree in Adult Education through the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

She has now taken another step in her chosen field of interest. As a lecturer at UNISA (University of South Africa), her influence will be greater in extent and as a doctorate candidate, adult education will benefit from her ability to read, research and study.

Kedibone Mokwena and other guests at Sr. Immaculata’s Jubilee Dinner

The letter reads:

My dear Sisters

Just dropping this email to express my gratitude to all Sisters in the congregation. Your guidance and support throughout the years, have shaped me into the Adult Educator I am today. I have joined UNISA as a Lecturer in the College of Education (CEDU) specifically in the ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) and Youth Development. The new environment is indeed academic in nature and it compels one to really pursue the route of lifelong learning! Sr Mac (Sr Immaculata Devine) et al, you really have to bear with me – reading from the cradle to the grave!!! Surely this should be good news for Pioneers in the adult education field, that we are striving to strengthen the foundations that have been laid.   It is my intention to pursue doctoral studies this year and am already preparing an abstract to make a presentation at the international conference to be held at the University of Nairobi around July/August.   

‘Indeed some people come into our lives and quickly go, 
Some stay for a while and move our souls to dance. 
They awaken us to a new understanding, 
Leaving footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
Flavia Weedn

I thank God for the special gift of sisterhood.

Kind regards

Ms. Kedibone Mokwena

Immaculata Devine rsm
South African Province