Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII has made history as the first reigning Queen of the Balobedu people to pass her matric, doing so well enough to obtain a university-entry pass.
Her accomplishment comes in the wake of another historic moment when President Cyril Ramaphosa officially recognised her as the Queen of the Balobedu people.
Speaking to The Star, Dr Mathole Motshekga, the chief royal councillor of the Balobedu Royal Nation, highlighted that the Queen’s biggest achievement during her matric journey was actively participating in sports, which allowed her to connect and build relationships with people from various cultures.
“She found sports to be incredibly valuable in building connections with people from different cultures, and this exposure has empowered her. As she returns home to assume her role as queen, she plans to leverage this experience and collaborate with the government to promote nation-building initiatives,” said Motshekga.
The peak of Covid-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for the Queen, as she had to catch up on her studies after starting school at the age of nine.
It was incredibly challenging for her, as she began her studies at the age of nine, with only nine years to complete both primary and high school. The impact of Covid-19 added to the difficulty, requiring her to work extra hard to catch up. However, through her determination and resilience, she successfully passed her matric and is now qualified to enter any higher institution of education,” he said.
Queen Masalanabo is planning to further her studies in either law or social development, as she believes it will equip her with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the growth and development of the Balobedu people.
Motshekga added that they were extremely proud of the Queen’s achievements and that everyone back home was eagerly looking forward to her coronation, which is scheduled to take place in Balobedu around March 2025.
The Star