22 Nov 2015

Blessed are those who die in the Lord, so says the scripture. 

Barati Sekgaolo (18) understood that very well. She was religiously astute. She was a dignified person, kind, soft hearted and very friendly.  She was one of Matsha College students who died in a recent road accident near Dutlwe in Letlhakeng Sub-district.

Even before she took her last breath, Barati always had it in her deepest of souls that God’s way is the right way. Perhaps this could be a fitting epitaph for the God fearing young girl, “here lies a girl who knows God is love.”

Different speakers took turns to embrace the young life that was cut too short but yet full of hope.  

On Saturday morning, Khudumelapye residents gathered at the homestead of the Sekgaolo family to bid farewell to a young life that was described as loving life and God. Everyone spoke warmly of Barati, a young girl who was described by many as a potential leader, and a true servant of God.

 First to take to the dais was Bontshite Tsheboyagae who was the first to break the sad news to the family on the fateful day.  Tsheboyagae could not cram any lengthy description for the deceased but thanked government for the support the family received during dark times.

Barati’s father Mr Gaotshololwe Phetolo courageously stood firm and delivered a moving eulogy while at the same time fighting back tears for his departed daughter. 

“Ke ne ke lebile gore dijo di tsene mo lapeng mme tla ke leboge bogolo jwa Modimo, ke rata go leboga thata le puso ka kemo nokeng e ba e re neetseng mo lapeng le,” he said.

Mr Otsile Maapatsane, Barati’s teacher from Matsha College told mourners that when she was admitted at the school in 2014 that was when their friendship was born. “She was close to my heart. I even told her that tota le mosadi yo ke mo nyetseng o bitswa Barati, I was born in 1967 she was born in 1997, we had a common thing in life,” he said.

Barati’s childhood friend Abia Kgotlhang took mourners down memory lane as she recalled her first meeting with the deceased from their primary school days until her last days. 

Ms Brenda Nakedi was a headteacher at Lempu Junior school when Barati was a student there. Ms Nakedi described Barati as a law abiding student who never crossed paths with school authorities. Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural development Mr Frans Van der Westhuizen read a message of condolences from President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Ends