Caster to get royal welcome
A ROYAL feast awaits world 800m champion Caster Semenya when she sets foot at her home village of Moletji in Limpopo.
The Moletji Traditional Council plans to prepare the mother of all parties in honour of Semenya who recently conquered at the Rio Olympics.
At this stage it is unknown when Semenya would go home because of other engagements. The event will be held at the Bahlaloga Royal Palace outside Polokwane.
Chief Kgabo Moloto III, who rules over 130 villages in Limpopo, told Sowetan yesterday that he had convened all 130 headmen to plan a big ceremony in honour of Semenya.
“Caster Semenya made the whole of Moletji proud by winning gold at the Rio Olympics. We have decided as a royal family that we should host a big event in her honour,” said Moloto.
He said Semenya would receive the royal treatment as “she has done something good that we pride ourselves with having her as a daughter of our soil”.
Among heroes who had received the rare honour in Moletji are Reserve Bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago, former Bafana Bafana coach, Trott Moloto, former Limpopo premier Sello Moloto and Magezi Football Club which recently gained promotion to the National First Division.
The chief said he had personally communicated with Semenya to find out a suitable date to host the event.
“Indications are that Caster will be available starting from September 17. She will fly to Brussels to compete in an athletics event and will return to the country on September 11. We hope that she will be available on Heritage Day [Sept 24] as that date will suit us best,” Moloto said.
He added that a substantial number of cows would be slaughtered and a number of artists would perform.
“Most importantly, we have invited athletic associations and school children from around Moletji for Caster to motivate them because we want to produce more people of her calibre,” Moloto added.
Semenya will walk on the royal carpet and receive traditional gifts such as beads from the royal family as a way of appreciation.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has had to postpone a big event meant to honour her in Premier Stanley Mathabatha’s office because Semenya will be unavailable tomorrow. –
“We have decided as the royal family to host a big event in her honour