One of the nation’s prominent journalists and publisher, owner and chairperson of The Voice Newspaper, Ms Beata Kasale has died.

Ms Kasale, 57, passed on at Gaborone’s Bokamoso Private Hospital on June 18.

“We are still very shocked and saddened by the passing away of Ausi B especially that recently she promised us that she will frequent our meetings as she had said she was now feeling much better,” said The Voice Online Editor Mr Innocent Tshukudu.

He described her as a bearer for courage, fairness and integrity in an industry going through seismic change.

“As we know that new media has taken a platform, she encouraged ‘The Voice’ to be proactive in new media publications and to be prompt on social media discussions,” he said.

Mr Tshukudu said Ms Kasale was a mentor to many across the media fraternity especially with regards to voices of women in the media industry.

He described her as a powerful role model for young women and girls especially female reporters everywhere and that her professionalism was respected across the political spectrum.

He said she was equally passionate about fairness in reporting and insisted that editors should be accountable while holding those in power accountable and that the media should strive to report balanced stories.

Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) editor, Ms Sereki Mpitse described Ms Kasale as a journalist who set an example for all around her.

“I will forever remember Beata for what she taught me, that a journalist should do what it takes to get a story,” she said.

Ms Mpitse reminisces that her first encounter with Ms Kasale was when she was assigned to cover some event in North East dubbed ‘Vumbu: The Rain Maker,’ where Kalangas gathered to pray for rain many years ago.

She said she and Beata, dressed in jeans and caps, were sent back to go and change into dresses but Beata took everything in her stride suggesting that they

borrowed wrap-around cloths around the neighbourhood so they could attend the event.

“At the time I was a young reporter and thought I should be pampered to get a story but Beata showed me the way,” she said.

Taung Gender Based Violence Trust founder, Ms Keabonye Ntsabane said Ms Kasale was an extraordinarily special person and one of the nation’s leading lights in journalism.

She said she was a gracious and inspiring colleague and a warm and steadfast friend.

“I personally extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” Ms Ntsabane said.

She said Ms Kasale was able to provide a platform for the voiceless in The Voice Newspaper and passionately resisted and fought all stereotypes perpetuated against women in the media and elsewhere.

Ms Ntsabane recalled that at the time the media was not proactive in reporting gender-based issues, Ms Kasale provided a platform for gender activists to get a column where they could publish their stories and ensured there was a gender policy at The Voice and tasked other media houses in the country to take such issues seriously.

“She pioneered gender issues with passion and understanding such that we tasked all women in politics to share with us how they represented other women in councils,” she said.

Ms Ntsabane said Ms Kasale’s presence and legacy would forever be felt. Botswana Editors Forum chairperson, Mr Spencer Mogapi stated in a press statement that Ms Kasale was dedicated to press freedom and over the years earned a reputation and recognition internationally by both governments and the private sector.

“During her lifelong active role in the media, she participated in the creation of organisations like MISA, Publishers FORUM, Press Council of Botswana and the Botswana Editors Forum,” states the release.

She was passionate about journalism and she was equally passionate about fairness, insisting that while holding those in power accountable, the media should strive to do so with fairness, the release says.

He described her as an icon and mentor to many journalists, especially female journalists who she frequently complained that they remained disproportionately under-represented in the industry.

Over the years Beata had proved herself to be a shrewd and resourceful businesswoman, growing The Voice from a little Francistown based paper, to a national market leader that it was today.

She was also a visionary as shown by her early determination that the future of the media was digital and then going on to deploy her force
of personality to take The Voice

Newspaper along that path, says Mr Mogapi.

Kasale is survived by four children, her husband, Patrick Kabango and grandchildren. ENDS