Vho-Ndishavhelafhi Selinah Mushiane, mother of late photojournalist Elijah Mushiane, celebrated her 85th birthday on Sunday, 3 April. She was joined by her children, grandchildren, relatives and fellow church members.
Mushiane is regarded as a mother figure at the Tshisaulu Khathutshelo Zion Apostolic Church outside Thohoyandou. She loved going to church from an early age.
In the 1950s, she grew up in the rural village of Thengwe, in the Mutale area, and later married Inspector (Vhasingameli) Joseph Mushiane. They lived at Tshimbupfe-Schiel farm, outside Vuwani, where she continued to recruit more members for her church.
One of her daughters, Ms Mashudu Mushiane, described her mother as a loving woman whom they all looked up to. She said she hoped that her own children would follow in their grandparent's footsteps. "May my mother live for many more years!"
Archbishop Thatheni Mutswari, who is also the President of the Protection of Apostolic Churches, blessed this special occasion. "It is good for children and the church to celebrate with an elder when they reach an advanced age. To celebrate her birthday while she is still alive, means that she is able to bless her own children and congregation in person, and that is a privilege," said Archbishop Mutswari.
Local journalist Godfrey Mandiwana said he had known Vho-Mushiane since he had started his career in the media with her late son, Elijah, back in 2000. Elijah, who died in 2014, was photographic head of the Limpopo bureau in Polokwane then. Mandiwana and a few other journalists from the area who are still linked to Mushiane's family were invited to join in the day's celebration.