Ontlametse’s life celebrated
HUNDREDS REMEMBER SA’S ONLY BLACK GIRL WITH PROGERIA
Hundreds of people gathered at Mmanotshe Moduane High School in Hebron, north of Pretoria, yesterday to celebrate the life of South Africa’s “special child”, Ontlametse Phalatse.
Phalatse died last Wednesday at Gourge Mukhari Hospital after she experienced breathing difficulties.
She was the only black South African female with progeria and initially doctors did not think she would live past her 14th birthday. But she stunned the world and recently turned 18.
Days before her birthday, President Jacob Zuma surprised her with a pre-birthday celebration at his presidential house, complete with a cake and flowers. It was always her dream to meet him.
Different speakers at Phalatse’s memorial service said she was a vibrant woman who did not allow her situation to get the better of her.
Phalatse was a motivational speaker who always wanted to see her community grow and wanted the best education in order to ensure that kids from her community could stop going to study in town. “Ontlametse wanted an excellent English school in Hebron that would provide English as a first language,” said Thami Dyani, principal at Hebron Primary School.
Phalatse liked to write quotes to encourage people to continue going in life, no matter how hard the situation may be. “Life has obstacles, they will come up along the way, so the way you handle them is what makes the difference,” she always used to say.
Family representative Seakgwe Phalatse said: “Ontlametse was very special and there is no one like her around the world.”
CEO of The Black Real Estate Thato Mbha argued that Ontlametse deserved a state memorial service and a state funeral.
“In my humble opinion, I feel like Ontlametse deserved a state memorial and funeral service, because she was a state woman. She represented South Africa well,” he said.
Phalatse’s friend, Tebogo Gololo, said she lost a friend whom she could count on and a friend who had been with her since childhood. –