Twins celebrate 74th birthday
Only death will separate Caroline and Selina
Caroline Hlekane and Selina Mabaso celebrated their birthday in Kurhuleni, a village in Vuwani, Limpopo, on Saturday.
Identical Limpopo twin grannies Caroline Hlekane and Selina Mabaso belatedly celebrated their 74th birthday together by reviving their bond – to be inseparable in all ways possible other than death.
Despite living far apart for most of their adult lives, the twins raised champagne glasses and cut a cake together in Kurhuleni village near Vuwani on Saturday.
They expressed love for each other as they celebrated a milestone in style. The twin grannies have confounded many in their community because of the striking resemblance to each other.
Selina lives in Dwarsloop near Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga following her marriage to Harry Mabaso in 1977. Her twin sister, Caroline, remained home to live with other siblings.
Even Mabaso admitted previously that it was difficult to tell who his wife was when they were together as they used to wear matching outfits.
The two were born on June 9 1943 in Kurhuleni village and attended school together.
“We used to attend the same class, sit on the same bench and also share books,” Selina said.
The two went to Xingwezi High School between 1965 and 1969, and after completing their junior certificate they taught at various schools between 1971 and 1977. “We preferred teaching at the same school,” Selina added.
The twins told Sowetan that living apart had not separated them as they communicate on a daily basis and also visit each other often.
“When Caroline comes to visit me my husband knows very well that he will sleep alone while I share a bed with my twin sister,” said Selina.
She said when she first took residence at her marital home she struggled to cope without the presence of her twin sister.
The twins each have three children, two daughters and a son each. The only difference is that Selina’s first child is a boy, Themba, who was born in 1971 while Caroline gave birth to a baby girl, Tsakane, born in 1973.
Caroline, who is nursing a sore leg, said she suffered from chronic ulcer which was first diagnosed at the age of 10.
Selina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 but has survived its ravages. Mabaso, 85, conceded that it was rare to celebrate the birth of twins who have grown up as his wife and her sister have done. “I’m very cautious of the bond that exists between them and have no issues with that. I’ve accepted that there is nothing I can do to separate them,” he said.
“I want them to keep loving each other as they had been doing all the years,” he added.
Daphney Hughes, 56, the younger sister of the twins, said she wished they could live longer.
“I also wish God can keep you healthy and ultimately take you both at the same time,” joked the younger woman.