Just like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, Palesa Mofokeng is spreading her wings. Only instead of flying, she wraps her vibrant wings around children with
profound mental and physical disabilities.
Having dedicated a decade to supporting a stimulation centre for kids with special needs, Palesa Mofokeng felt the calling to open up her own. And so a sanctuary called the Queen Butterfly Foundation was born.
Starting with just one child and a purple physio ball, Palesa’s foundation has grown to support 15 children and young adults with severe disabilities over the past decade. Think Cerebral Palsy, autism, developmental delay and blindness. Certainly, no child’s play!
“Even though 15 doesn’t seem like a lot, it is. In fact, we’re filled to capacity. All our kids are in wheelchairs. They have to be fed, and their nappies changed, so it’s hard work. It’s all about quality over quantity. That’s why my goal isn’t to grow bigger – but rather to duplicate the model in other communities.”
Palesa has always been known for her caring nature. Growing up in a close-knit family, it’s quite clear where she got it from. Raised by her grandparents in Qwaqwa while her parents hustled in Joburg, her foundation was built on kindness and compassion.
No stranger to humble beginnings, Palesa moved in with her mom – a domestic worker at the time – after school. There she did some computer courses and studied Early Childhood Development. It was only a matter of time before Palesa befriended Aden White – the mentally and physically disabled son of her mom’s employer.
“I remember going with him to his physiotherapy sessions. It’s where my love and passion for kids with special needs was ignited. Once I realised that I could make him smile and be responsible enough to look after him, I knew it’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
And she hasn’t looked back. Palesa has come to love the process of getting to know and understand the children and letting her into their world.
Just as she believed she had reached a deep level of understanding with the children she cared for, life threw her a huge curveball less than a year ago – a stroke. Suddenly, she found herself in the same position as the kids she looked after, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak. While the effects of the stroke may be temporary, the empathy and insight it brought will forever be a part of her.
“I was reminded of how important it is to truly take their feelings into consideration. Just because they don’t communicate, walk or behave like you and me, doesn’t mean we should just ignore them or speak over them. I now fully understand how it feels not to be understood.
“Luckily I was fortunate to have had the tools to get myself through it. I also don’t know what I would’ve done without the support of friends, family and Queen Butterfly. The experience also confirmed once again that this is what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.
“The level of love and safety I feel when I’m at the foundation is unparalleled. The hugs and drool-filled kisses I get on a daily are like gold to me. There really is an art to making a mentally and physically disabled child smile. And there’s nothing better than them saying, ‘Palesa, I love you’. It means you’ve reached down into their heart and mind and succeeded in making them feel your unconditional love.”
What’s Palesa’s secret to staying motivated? Well, it’s not so much a secret as it is her work crew, or as she calls them, her butterfly queens – all trained by Palesa herself. With her team by her side, it doesn’t even feel like work. Together they tackle every obstacle that comes their way at the stimulation centre with ease.
She admits one of their toughest hurdles is fundraising. Despite Queen Butterfly’s NPO status, they receive no government funding and are totally reliant on donations and fundraising efforts. Even when things get a bit rough, Palesa keeps pushing forward because, in her eyes, it’s her God-given purpose.
When she’s not at the centre covered in paint and running around barefoot, Palesa enjoys the simple pleasures of life, from sipping a cup of tea to chuckling at some funny TikTok videos. She finds peace in nature, often taking long walks and appreciating the beauty of the outdoors.
Inspired by her mom’s wisdom and support, this social butterfly loves looking good, smelling good, and cherishing moments with friends and family. As the queen of her family and the foundation, she continues to spread love and joy, making a difference in the lives of those she cares for. A Queen Butterfly indeed!
Details: Visit their website, queenbutterfly.org.za or follow Queen Butterfly Foundation on Facebook.
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. • Photographer: HILDA MANS. • Make-up & hair: STEFANIE PAYENDEE. • Dress: LECHIC CLOSET BY HEIDIE.
