19 Aug 2020

On August 18 afternoon at the Motsewabeng homestead in the small village of Pilane, mourners took turns to speak warmly of their late brother, husband, son and friend Tshepo Motsewabeng.

Motsewabeng was the former head of graphics division with the Department of Information Services.

In 2011, he was involved in a freak car crash and later retired from public service.

Tango, as Motsewabeng was tenderly known in all spheres of life, took his last breath last week Wednesday, after a long illness and will be laid to rest Thursday (August 20) at Phomolong Memorial Park in Phakalane.

It was easy to discern from the jovial mood that a life of a religiously astute man was being celebrated.

He was described by many as having fulfilled his life journey as he loved life and God.

In a heartwarming eulogy, his second born child, Nakiso, took mourners down memory lane and reminded many what her father meant to the entire family.

Nakiso described him as an amiable father.

She said her father knew who loved him and he would love them back and she was actually proud to call her ‘daddy’.

“I loved my father. He taught me several things in life and taught me how to pray. We recited The Lord’s Prayer every night until I could do it on my own. He was an over protective parent. He has always been my hero. He loved my mother and he did not apologise for loving her so much,” added Nakiso.

She described her father as a loving man, who had many friends from all walks of life.

“He was very open and made friends with everyone,” she said.

Motsewabeng’s friends defined their late friend as a true embodiment of what the Word of God prescribed.

Given the adoration that he earned at the short, but emotional memorial service, he made a close bond with every person he crossed paths with.

Segale Mokotedi said his and Motsewabeng’s friendship was born at a senior school and they would later meet in the UK pursuing different courses.

“We both repented and sought the glory of God. We encouraged each other in the many aspects of life. Tshepo was a committed young man and fulfilled his vows of tying the knot at a young age. We were close in spirit until his last days,” Mokotedi noted.

Mokotedi said his late friend had an ambition of starting his own ministry because in his deepest of souls, he heard God’s calling.

Motsewabeng’s nephew, Ms Keletso Setlhabi explained that it was not an easy task to eulogise a man of his uncle’s stature.

Ironically, Setlhabi told mourners that because of the love that her uncle exuded, it was easy to remember his heart-melting smile.

“Tshepo grew up in the loving arms of my grandmother and I think he inherited such adoration. We lived together through thick and thin. After he was involved in that accident, he always wanted me closer to him.

His life was testimony of someone who had accepted Jesus as his saviour.

We had our plans, but God always has his own plans,” she said.

She said her uncle wanted to pen his biography, detailing the life he lived and it was now up to the family to continue where he left off..

Former director of information services, Mr Russ Molosiwa described Motsewabeng as an obedient and hardworking man.

“We met during our tenure at the then Department of Information and Broadcasting. I was with Kutlwano Magazine and Motsewabeng did our illustrations. He developed a concept that was to be used in the later stages of the magazine.

He did that with the highest level of excellence,” he said.

Molosiwa said the late Motsewabeng contributed immensely to the layout design of both Kutlwano and DailyNews paper. He even had a hand in popularising Kutlwano Magazine’s flagship column Matlholaadibona as he provided illustrations that were in sync with the articles. Motsewabeng later became head of graphics division after Simon Seisa left.

Different speakers encouraged the family to hold on and accept the loss and cast their burdens unto the Lord.

Meanwhile, after former director of information service, Kebareng Solomon’s Facebook post announcing Motsewabeng’s passing, many of those whose lives he touched poured out their condolences, remembering him as a true man of God.

Gladys Ramadi, a former colleague said: ‘May he rest in peace. It’s strange because just this week he appeared in my ‘people you may know’ and I thought of sending him a friend request’.

Ennie Molobe posted ‘Oh no! So sad and may he rest in the Lord he served while still on earth,’ while Lorato Oranja quipped: ‘Oh sweet soul. May he rest in eternal peace’.

For Charity Nkala-Castellon it was sad news. ‘MHSRIP. He impacted my life in a big way during Information days @ main mall, next to the Book Centre.

His faith was unwavering even when in pain. Was once hospitalised at the same time with him and used to go check him across wards.

He gave me strength at a very difficult time, though he was a patient himself.

Will miss him. Rest my friend’.

Bome Matshaba said: ‘He impacted the lives of many. May his soul rest in peace’.

Nkope Matlou-Hayford wrote: ‘May his soul rest in peace’.

Motsewabeng, who was 57 years at the time of his passing, is survived by his wife Annah, his mother, four children; two girls and two boys, two grandchildren and four siblings, three sisters and a brother. ENDS