08 Feb 2017

His voice is synonymous with almost all the radio stations in Botswana, but more so with Radio Botswana 1 commonly known as RB1.

He is a constant commentator on a broad spectrum of issues being discussed on radio. The frequency with which he calls has many people asking themselves a lot of questions; does he call free or is he sponsored?

“Ee ke ija dithata”, loosely translated “I have to dig down my pocket” is his constant answer. Born Edict Keolopile Dithatho in 1947 in Tshane in the Kgalagadi district to Ms Julia Dithatho Leshope and Mr English Dithatho

Leshope in Ga-Thaga ward, Dithatho started school in Tshane before moving on to do Standard Six at Mosiwa community school in Hukuntsi in 1966.

Although a brilliant student, family problems stood in the way of the young Dithatho.

“I passed my Standard Six with a second class and was admitted at Moeding College, but never proceeded due to family problems at the time,” he said.

To pass time, the then 20-year-old-lad relocated to Lobatse where he stayed with his brother. His disdain for idleness saw him enlisting with Botswana Meat Commission boxing club and Lobatse Youth Training Centre respectively.

All the trials in life did not deter Dithatho’s determination to continue with his education, as in 1968, he started his Junior Certificate (JC) until he completed in 1971.

Armed with JC, and palpable stroke of luck on his side, Dithato secured a job in Gaborone, where he worked for a private contractor doing handy work before taking a break from work in 1976.

‘I did not work for the entire year as I had savings of up to P30 000 that could sustain me for that year,” he says reflecting on the good memories of splendour then.

Upon finishing the self-imposed year-long ‘sabbatical leave” that was also refreshing, Mr Dithatho joined government employ at Unified Local Government Services in Gaborone under the then Ministry of Local Government and Lands.

He had a short stint as Technical Assistant under the department of Buildings at the time as he was transferred to Ghanzi district council just six months down the line.

His aptitude and commitment to duty saw him climb up the ladder of employ in the process earning him management training in Swaziland.

He has truly been all over the place having meticulously served the nation of Botswana in years spurning 39 years. He says the public service then and now is at variance, in that, employees then seemed a lot more committed than is the case now.

Particularly worrying, he says, is the public service that is drowning in debt. ‘It pains me that people do not prioritise anymore and lead razzmatazz lifestyles of fancy cars with little or no investment,” he said.

A shareholder on a number of listed companies locally and proud owner of properties in Gaborone, Dithatho’s wish is to see the young generation of Batswana invest more and follow in the footsteps of Batswana of yesteryears.

A champion of dialogue and nation building, Dithatho is a regular in Masa-a-sele, Phuthadichaba and many other broadcasting platforms whose attempt is to chart the right course for the nation.

The father of five, four men and a lady, Dithatho does not knuckle-down anymore except to enjoy the fruits of his labour, probably in answer to why his voice is arguably the foremost and notable on radio. ENDS