09 Feb 2015

Multitudes of mourners gathered in Tlokweng on Feburary 6 to pay their last respects to a reowned scholar, Mr Log Raditlhokwa.

Speakers described him as a thought leader, hard worker, human rights activist, counsellor, church administrator, productivity champion, political commentator, God fearing man, good writer and  great father to all those he interacted with. The man who many described as humble and loved peace was known as Log.

Mr Abraham Motsokono, representing media, described Log as a God fearing man who knew the Bible well. Mr Motsokono said Log would go to the extent of praying for someone and asking them to give their life to Christ. He said people should celebrate Log’s life and not cry as he had done his work on earth through serving people.

For her part, Professor Tapologo Maundeni said Log was a representative of faculty of social sciences and he carried out his duties well. She said Log was one of a few men who taught gender courses, adding that he was consistent, unique and never afraid to express his views.

Professor Maundeni said they saw him as a man who fought for gender issues and advocated for human rights. She said Log always advocated for empowerment of men and was passionate about issues affecting children and mothers

He said at times they visited Child-line Centre with Log and he would encourage house mothers to put God first and work with passion. “Child-line house mothers were very saddened when they received news of his passing away since he was a good motivational speaker who took his time to talk to them,” she said.

Botswana Congress Party leader, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, described Log as someone who made a great name for himself.

“I was amused at one point when I challenged him and spoke Setswana with him and he responded well,” said Mr Saleshando who explained that he thought Log was not a Motswana given his eloquence and fluency in English.

He said Log motivated him and the only thing he must have failed to change in him was his shyness. He added that BCP benefited from Log’s advice as they worked with him on issues such as public speaking and motivational talk.

A former student, Mr Phenyo Mogae, said it seemed like God had whispered to Log that he would not live long as he did things quickly and was always on his feet. “Most of Log’s colleagues are old and they are so relaxed it seems as if God had assured them they would live longer. Log did things well and touched many lives,” he said.

Representing Selebi Phikwe schools alumni, Ms Judith Boswaen, said during their primary school times they called Log “Logong”. She said Log talent of mentorship when he grew up with them.

Ms Boswaen said above all, Log loved his parents and performed all home chores without murmuring and was always neat. Log’ son, Hope Raditlhokwa, described his father as someone who always held different ideas and knew how to read an individual’s mind.

“Every day he told me to learn a new English word, he had a good spirit and his words were always powerful that you would never rub them off. They were a stamp on the mind,” he said.

Log passed away on January 27 at Bokamoso Private Hospital. Log was a prolific writer and had three books to his name. He was born in Mmankgodi December 29, 1964 but spent his formative years in Selebi Phikwe where he attended primary school and senior school.

He enrolled for a Bachelor of Social Work degree with the University of Botswana and graduated in 1990.

He joined the university as a staff Development Fellow in 1990 and studied for a Masters of Social Work Degree at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada and also University of Lund (Lund, Sweden). ENDS