In 1979 Father Maekane, a retired Anglican Priest, founded The Mophato oa Mants'ase Society, named for the Principal Chief of Taung who gave land for the Society's projects.
Mophato is the Sesotho word for a village where people come together for a special purpose; and the purpose of the Society is to operate as a charitable organization for the relief of destitute children of all ages.
Specific objectives were also named: To foster destitute children’s well-being through their own families wherever possible; and to establish, develop, manage and run a project to house destitute children.
Father Patrick M. Maekane
On the 26th November 1979 the Society was registered under number 79/17 in the Societies Registry Maseru, under the Societies Act 1966.
At the time of Registration the Office Bearers of the Executive Committee were:
Patron: Morena ‘M’antsase
Founder: Father Patrick Maekane
Chairman: Othniel L Mokote
Secretary: Thomas Iliff Simey
Treasurer: Monghali N S Khotle (Samson)
Core funding was initially raised by Society membership subscriptions. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to foster and further the objects of the Society, on application and by payment of an annual subscription to the Society, and on condition such membership is approved by the Executive Committee. Should the annual subscription not be renewed membership will cease.
The first buildings were funded from the American Embassy Self-Help Fund and built by the founder of the Society, Father Patrick M. Maekane with the help of British IVS volunteer, Iliff Simey and 25 local women who were paid in clothing donated by Catholic Relief Services. The buildings were completed in late 1979 and the first child, a 10-year-old girl from a nearby village, was admitted in February 1980.
Father Maekane died peacefully on April 18, 1985.
1979 - 1985
The Official Website of
The Mophato oa Mants'ase Society
building a brighter future for our children
