17 Nov 2019

Magistrate Mogi Paya (34) and her six-year-old daughter, Areneilwe, were laid to rest in Bobonong on November 16. 

The duo and two others died in a recent horrific road accident in Dibete. 

Among mourners were President  Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, First Lady Neo Masisi, Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake and the area Member of Parliament, Mr Taolo Lucas.

Speakers called for celebration of the departed souls for they positively impacted on many lives. In fact, those closer to the two found them to radiate positive energy with the young Areneilwe said to be a replica of the mother.

In many instances, it was said, Ms Paya always had her daughter as a travelling companion. 

A smile was a constant feature on their faces, hence attracting many friends.

“To everyone that Mogi touched, I comfort you because I have been comforted,” said Ms Paya’s friend, Ms Gofaone Modise. 

Ms Paya’s aunt, Ms Irene Kwape, briefed mourners about the horrific accident of November 8.

Ms Kwape said, according to the police, the accident involved three vehicles.

She said information from Dibete police office indicated that the vehicle in which Ms Paya, Nei (as Areneilwe was affectionately called) and their male companion died,  caught fire that led to them perishing agonizingly.

Areneilwe’s teacher at Rainbow School, Ms Amy Mwamba, said her pupil was excellent academically.

Areneilwe performed exceptionally well and at some point, her teacher considered moving her to the next class, a move that Ms Paya opposed.

“She once told me that, ‘I don’t want to be a teacher like you, but a lawyer like my mother’,” said Ms Mwamba who expressed pain at the thought of her class without Areneilwe. 

An empty chair and table would always remind Ms Mwamba of the void left by Nei. 

Ms Paya’s sister, Ms Boitumelo Paya, spoke about the life of her younger sister who loved her job so much that she would brag it was the best of professions. 

Boitumelo, who is an accountant by profession, explained how Ms Paya sent her a text message (that Boitumelo ignored) before following it with a call to brag that the recent swearing-in of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi was conducted by chief justice not an accountant.  

Though she conceded to being haunted by the scene of the road accident, Boitumelo sent message of gratitude to Dibete police officers and a team of pathologists who ‘displayed unimaginable compassion.’

She said her younger sister loved creating memories and cherishing them. In fact, Boitumelo found her little sister ‘an extra’ for she enjoyed doing what she loved with gusto and great verve. 

A representative of International Association Women Judges, Justice Sanji Monageng described Ms Paya as a highly opinionated member of the association. 

Ms Paya loved her job with passion and she considered law a form of art, Justice Monageng told mourners. 

She also added that the departed magistrate was a great orator that commanded the queen’s language as witnessed in her judgements.

As part of celebrating her profession, Justice Monageng pointed out that Ms Paya loved robbing and would put on black and white from January to December. Ends