Bloemfontein: Her Majesty Queen Neo Mopeli is making her mark in the world by embracing simplicity and defying the stereotype that royalty is disconnected from everyday life. In fact, for the recognised Queen of the Bakoena Nation in the Free State, serving humanity is the cornerstone upon which she hopes her legacy will be built.
According to South African Government News Agency, Her Majesty also serves as one of the 25 commissioners of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC). The Commission is an independent, multi-stakeholder body, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to oversee and facilitate a just and equitable transition to a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy. The President announced the second cohort of PCC commissioners in January this year.
The Queen described her appointment as a humbling experience as the commissioners move into the implementation phase of their work centering on the lived realities of ordinary South Africans. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the voices of rural communities, particularly women and young people, are heard and incorporated into the recommendations and ultimately, the work of the PCC.
She added that South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET), central to the Commission's work, must consider issues like jobs, inequality, and food security. The JET focuses on transitioning the energy sector as the country shifts away from coal towards cleaner energy sources. She highlighted the importance of translating climate change impacts into the ordinary lives of people, stressing that the transition should happen with people, not to them.
Her Majesty's role as Queen was not something she expected early in life, but she finds it fulfilling. Despite the glamour of her position, she cherishes the quiet moments and simple acts of kindness, such as hosting a party at an orphanage. Her two young sons are being raised with the understanding that leadership requires humility and grace.
In her role as Deputy Chair of the South African Queens Council, she supports traditional communities and tackles issues like cultural preservation, poverty, and gender-based violence. The Council provides a platform for queens to share solutions to challenges that traditional communities face across different provinces.
On gender-based violence, the Queen advocates for a change in how boys are raised and socialized, emphasizing the need for grassroots approaches and altered societal structures. Reflecting on 30 years of the South African Constitution, she acknowledges progress while calling for the full implementation of constitutional rights to bridge the gap between policy and everyday realities.
Her Legal Eagles Mentorship Programme, which started as a simple social media post, now assists over 2,500 young legal graduates in finding work opportunities. The initiative also offers CV reviews and interview advice, demonstrating her commitment to community building.
The Queen's contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the charity and philanthropy category at the 40 Under Forty Awards. As South Africa commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Women's March, she urges young women to pursue their ambitions unapologetically and acknowledges the sacrifices of older generations.
For Her Majesty, her legacy is about service, integrity, and empowerment, hoping to uplift others and inspire young women to believe in their potential. Her work is a blessing, driven by a commitment to make the most of every hour she has.