Nothing is impossible for Mama Alice
by Ana Watts
On May 7, Alice Margaret Mokoena proudly accepted a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in human rights and anthropology, and minors in philosophy and sociology from St. Thomas University (STU) in Fredericton. If you are thinking “Oh how wonderful to be young, full of energy and life,” think again. Alice Margaret Mokoena –– Mama Alice to those who know her –– is 79 years old. She spent her first 62 years in South Africa, under Apartheid, in poverty, with an abusive husband and without formal education.
She had five children, two of whom died young. She took in her husband’s orphaned nieces and nephews as well as grandchildren, and fed the entire family on vegetables she grew herself.
“I took the orphans, the youngest children in my family, to a school where Cindy Lofstrom from Fredericton had a four-year teaching contract,” says Mama Alice. Cindy saw how hard Mama Alice worked as well as how much she suffered under Apartheid, in a difficult relationship and financially. She sang the praises of Canada and convinced her to come here to begin a new life.
Her teaching contract over, Cindy returned to Fredericton and kept in 
touch with Mama Alice in South Africa as she worked her way through emigration paperwork with the same dogged determination she would later apply to her studies. In 1990 Alice got her passport and Cindy sent two airline tickets –– one for Alice, the other for Likomo, her 11-year-old niece, the youngest child in her care.
Mama Alice’s church and Mothers’ Union friends in South Africa hosted going-away parties in her honour and her priest gave her a letter to be passed on to her new priest in Canada. “He wanted to be sure I only went to an Anglican Church in Canada,” says Alice.
Margaret Woodworth, a friend of Cindy’s who operated a special care home in Fredericton, hired Mama Alice and also introduced her to Christ Church (Parish) Church. Cindy adopted Likomo.
Two years later, with the supporting sponsorship of Christ Church (Parish) Church, Alice sent for her grandson Kathatso. The handsome high-school student had lived with her since he was 10 days old and was broken-hearted when she South Africa without him.
With the help of the Fredericton Multicultural Association, the people of the Parish Church and the “sisters” of her beloved Mothers’ Union, Mama Alice adjusted to a new life, a new climate and a new language. She volunteered at non-profit agencies and was encouraged to get an education, so she started work on her high-school equivalent. A taste of knowledge left her craving more, so when one of her tutors told her she was smart enough to apply to university, she did.
For lots of good reasons it took Mama Alice more than the four years most people need to finish her undergraduate degree. The reasons included two lengthy trips back to South Africa –– one when her sister died, and another when her eldest son died. She also spent some time repeating courses for higher marks. “When professors gave me a C I went to them and said ‘C is not good enough, I only want As.’”
As the eldest graduate in the STU class of 2007, Alice attracted intense media coverage and was the recipient of many, many accolades. The Multicultural Association honoured her with a luncheon, her Mothers’ Union sisters at the parish, diocesan and national level all feted her with flowers and cakes. Her parish celebrated with her, as did the Wisemenettes and the board of directors and tenants of St. Anne’s Lodge where she lives. She was even invited to the Provincial Legislature where she was congratulated and presented with still more flowers.
Now that she has her degree, Alice will continue to volunteer in the non-profit sector –– with the Multicultural Association, or Opal 3 or perhaps Jobs Unlimited.
“I wanted an education so I could be a better volunteer.”
Mama Alice does not regret leaving South Africa. In fact, she sometimes feels guilty because she does not miss her homeland at all.
“I feel so much love here and I did not feel that love in my country. Canada is my country now.”
Diocesan Communications
22 May 2007
