A Century of Faith and Service: The Life of Mrs Annah Asnath Teffo

 By Daluxolo Moloantoa – Asnath Mabusela was born on June 4, 1925, in Mokopane—then known as Potgietersrus—in Limpopo Province, into the household of a Lutheran reverend and his wife. She was the second of four children, and from an early age, she was taught the values of faith, family, and service.

Mokopane, the home of the long-living Baobab tree, has always been symbolic of her life — deeply rooted, enduring, and giving shelter and strength to others. She was blessed with six children of her own, of whom two have passed on, and also lovingly raised several of her relatives’ children, embodying a true spirit of motherhood. She is also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She received her early schooling in Mokopane before being sent in 1940 to Our Lady’s College (Motse Maria) near Polokwane, one of the pioneering Catholic girls’ boarding schools in South Africa. Her first journey to Motse Maria was unforgettable: she travelled the long distance on a mule cart, driven by her father with her mother seated beside him, while she sat at the back with her new boarding school trunk and other belongings, a vivid memory she recalls with joy.

New Beginnings at Motse Maria

It was at Motse Maria, in 1941, that she embraced the Catholic faith, receiving the sacrament of baptism and the name Annah. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in her own words:

“When I was baptised, I felt my heart settle into a home it had long sought. I knew then that my life would always be guided by faith and by the love of God.”

Motse Maria has continued to celebrate its enduring legacy. On September 17, 2023, the school marked its 100th anniversary at its campus in Doornspruit, Ga-Mashashane. Thousands of people from across South Africa and the world attended the event, which began with the blessing of the missionaries’ stone, honouring generations of educators, Sisters of Charity, and students who shaped the school’s remarkable history.

Nursing and Midwifery Career

After completing high school in 1944, she pursued nursing at St Vincent Hospital in Bela Bela (formerly Warmbaths). During her three years of training, she became a member of the Legion of Mary (Bana ba Maria Sodality), dedicating herself to prayer, charity, and service to the community. Upon completing her training in 1948, Annah underwent a year of midwifery training at Holy Cross Maternity Hospital, a Catholic mission hospital in Lady Selborne founded by Fr Camillus De Hovre OMI and the Holy Cross Sisters, before beginning her work there as a midwife.

It was at Holy Cross that she met her husband, Patrick Teffo, and they married, becoming active members of the Catholic community. Reflecting on her decades of service as a nurse, she says: “Every patient I attended reminded me of the gift of life. Caring for them was not just a job—it was a calling, and I always tried to serve with love, patience, and dignity.”

Family and Forced Removals

Her father-in-law, Mr Nathaniel Teffo, was a devoted member of the Sacred Heart Sodality, and through him, the family carried a strong tradition of Catholic sodality life. Tragically, Lady Selborne was later destroyed during the forced removals under apartheid, and its residents, including the Teffos, were relocated to Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, and Garankuwa.

The couple settled in Mamelodi, where they continued their Catholic life and raised their family, and became parishioners of the St Peter Claver Church.

At St Peter Claver Church, Mrs Teffo became a pillar of parish life.

She actively participated in the liturgy, prayer groups, and community outreach, mentoring younger parishioners and supporting the church’s charitable initiatives. Her dedication extended to organising events, guiding sodality members, and ensuring that faith and fellowship remained at the heart of the community.

Service Beyond the Community

Beyond these communities, Mrs Teffo extended her nursing and midwifery service to hospitals and nursing homes in Mabalstad (Koster) and as far as Rustenburg in the North-West Province. After decades of dedication, she eventually retired from nursing, leaving a legacy of care and compassion. In her own words, reflecting on raising her children and family: “Raising my children and guiding my extended family was one of the greatest joys of my life. Even in difficult times, the love of family and the bonds we create give strength and purpose.”

Reflections on the St Anne Sodality

As a veteran member of the St Anne Sodality, she reflects: “For more than seventy years, I have walked with my sisters in the sodality, sharing prayers, supporting one another, and serving our parish. It has been a life of blessings, teaching me patience, humility, and the true meaning of devotion.”

A Century of Faith and Advice for Life

Now at the blessed age of 100, Mrs Asnath Annah Mabusela-Teffo stands as a living witness to a century of faith, commitment, and service. From her early days in Mokopane, to her education at Motse Maria, to her years as a nurse and midwife, to raising her children and extended family, her story continues to inspire. Reflecting on her long life, she offers advice for health, longevity, and peace:

“I have learned that a long life is a gift nurtured by faith, daily prayer, and love for family and community. Stay close to God, pray often, and live each day with purpose and gratitude.” Like the ancient baobab tree of Mokopane, she stands as a symbol of endurance, steadfastness, and life-giving strength, inspiring generations to remain rooted in faith and service.