Royalty and Service: ‘Mapitso Molebatsi Rivera's Presidential Award
Last year, the Lesotho Diaspora Newsletter caught wind of the great news that one of our own, a Mosotho-South African-American, had been awarded the Presidential Lifetime Award by President Joe Biden.
We asked mme ‘Mapitso Molebatsi Rivera to share a little bit about her story and the award. Here’s what she said.
I am originally from Bethlehem, South Africa. I’m also a second-generation Mosotho from Botha Buthe, Makgoakgoeng. I always considered myself a dual citizen because at the end of every month, my grandfather would drive us to Lesotho. Today, I live in South Carolina, USA, where I’m still proud to share my culture.
I was raised by strong women who taught me botho/ humanity. I took their lessons to heart and learned for myself that truly, motho ke motho ka batho ba bang. I followed my heart into the field of Social Work and later followed my call into ministry as a Pastor. With God's help, I started a non-profit organization to promote culture and diversity and to tell our African stories through our own lens, not how we are perceived. This also allowed me to host an annual gala called LIWA Africa, showcasing different African countries; through the event, we celebrate our food, our dances & entertainment, and highlight and honor our leaders’ contributions to this world. As a Princess from the Bakgolokwe Kingdom, I recently decided to promote our Kingdoms. Unfortunately, oftentimes, the only story Americans know of Africa is one of hunger and poverty. But other people need to know that Africans have other stories, too. We are also Royalty and Majesty. So, this year, we will host His Majesty King Enock Makhosoke II Mabhena of the Ndebele Kingdom and Her Majesty Queen Sekhothali Martha Mabhena, our own Princess from Lesotho. This event is happening in April 2025, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our culture. If you’d like to learn more about the event or participate in this royal visit in 2025, visit us at https://myroyaltapestry.com/.
That is not all we do. Through LIWA, we also sponsor schools, hospitals, orphanages, senior citizens, community projects, and so on. We also do tourism and missions to Africa. On top of that, we also feed the homeless in Greenville, South Carolina, and work to empower women and men in various capacities. As the President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America, we promote business, trade, and investment between America and South Africa. Our goal is to establish an African Chamber where all Africans can work together as one. What I love is my little spaza shop where I sell all kinds of goodies from back home. If you need atchar, Aromat, or anything else, just reach out to me!
Lastly, I’ll share that I remember getting a call that I was nominated for the Lifetime Presidential Award through AmeriCorp. To be honest, I did not know about this award and did not even pay attention to the call because I had had a busy day. Now that I’ve won, my advice is do whatever you do with all your might because you never know who is inspired. Every day, I hear my mother and grandmother whispering to me: motho ke motho ka batho ba bang. Both of their homes were called houses of prayer and soup kitchens because they lived to serve their community, and this award recognizes how I have tried to continue their legacy of selfless service. Through this award, the highest office in the world has recognized the work of an African child, a Mosotho, for that matter. For that, I am humbled and honored to receive it.
To my fellow Basotho, you are here for a purpose. Your gift will make a room for you and present you in front of kings, leaders, and destiny helpers. As Basotho, we need each other. Let's complement and build each other, wherever we are — at home or in the diaspora. Other nations are making it, so why not us? Le rona bana ba thari e ntsho, ma-ja-pere, re ka atleha. Ke ntse ke leboha Ntate Modimo, yena a etsang dintho tse kgolo. Bana ba Thesele, bana ba Morena Moshoeshoe, ha re tshwaraneng!