By Zwi Maphiri
Visibly moved, MEC Kekana (right) thanked the HoD Mashamba and the assembled team, emphasizing that the department’s success relies on the "family" of staff members who work behind the scenes.
The corridors of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development buzzed with excitement on 16 January as staff members gathered for a special celebration: the surprise birthday of MEC Nakedi Grace Kekana. Far from a formal boardroom meeting, the event was a heartfelt display of camaraderie and mutual respect.
The festivities began with a surprise choral performance by school children from Nare Secondary at Moletji Ga-Semenya, filling the corridors with music footage played from the T.V. screen. Joining the front lines of the celebration was the Head of Department (HoD), Mpho Abigal Mashamba. Her presence highlighted the strong, unified bond between the department’s political leadership and its administrative branch.
Taking to the podium, Ms. Mashamba offered a glowing tribute to the MEC, praising her dedication to rural development and rural community empowerment.
"It is a privilege to serve alongside a leader who leads with both her head and her heart," Mashamba noted. "Your passion for our farmers inspires us all. We wish you a year of continued strength and impact."
Birthday cake for MEC Nakedi Kekana.
Visibly moved, MEC Kekana thanked the HoD and the assembled team, emphasizing that the department’s success relies on the "family" of staff members who work behind the scenes. She noted that sharing her day with them was a reminder of their shared mission to ensure food security for the province.
As the afternoon ended, the energy in the building remained high. The celebration was a poignant reminder that even in the demanding world of public service, there is always room for gratitude. With the MEC and HoD standing side-by-side, the event reinforced a sense of stability and shared vision for the year ahead.
The celebration concluded with a communal lunch featuring local produce—a symbolic nod to the very industry they serve. As the MEC and HoD shared the first slice of cake, the atmosphere was one of renewed morale and unity. The event served as a brief but powerful pause from the demands of public service, allowing the team to honour a leader who remains deeply connected to her people.
HOD Mashamba on behalf of the staff honours a leader (MEC Kekana) who remains deeply connected to her people.
