07 Apr 2015

Kgosi Letlole Thobega of Mmankgodi in Kweneng District will be buried on April 11 at his home village. 

The 86-year old Thobega died on March 30 in South Africa where he had gone to seek medical treatment.

According to one of his daughters, Ms Suzan Thobega, the Bahurutshe royal started to show signs of ill-health in September last year. She noted that her father left for South Africa about two weeks ago, adding that he was never bedridden during his illness.

Ms Thobega said her father tied the knot in 1956 to her late mother, Mrs Josephine Thobega who died in 2008. The couple had eight children of which three boys died hence Kgosi Thobega being survived by four daughters and a son.

Kgosi Thobega has been one of the longest serving royals having ascended to the Bahurutshe throne in 1952 and ruled Mmankgodi for 63 years.

According to one of his nice, Mr Tlotlo Letlole, his uncle was a staunch Christian who would at times invite South African televangelist Pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministry for a crusaded at his kgotla. “He was a person who despised alcohol,” he said.

He said the departed royal was also instrumental in building Mmankgodi primary school and the village’s study group. He was also instrumental in building the then London Missionary Society church branch in the village.

Kgosi Letlole became a member of Ntlo ya Dikgosi between 2004 and 2009. He was also bestowed with the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2002 when he turned 50 years at the realm of the village chieftainship. ENDS