11 Jul 2021

- Death has been part of humankind from time immemorial, but because of the void left after its strike, it is an occurrence that people never get used to.

The demise of 39-year-old Ms Thato Dipao, a photojournalist at WeekendPost, came as a shock to her immediate family, colleagues and friends.

Ms Dipao died on July 6 at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital due to COVID-19 complications.

She was laid to rest over the weekend. Speakers who eulogized about the life they lived with Ms Dipao during a memorial service in Gaborone broke the somber mood that most were trapped in.

Among them was Press Secretary to the President, Mr Batlhalefi Leagajang, who was an editor at Gazette newspaper where Ms Dipao started her career as a photojournalist.

Mr Leagajang described Ms Dipao as a fearless reporter who never felt threatened to execute her photojournalism duties ethically.

He said when Ms Dipao came for an interview at Gazette, he was thrilled by the attitude and the zeal to learn that she displayed during the interview.

“She was young and empty, but one thing I liked most about her was the essence of willingness to learn,” he said, adding that he had nicknamed Ms Dipao ‘Manxane’ since she was the shortest and youngest in the office and since then the name had stuck.

Photojournalist at Department of Information Services, Ms Felicity Male, described Ms Dipao as a matriarch of a female photojournalist who stood on what she believed in and never allowed to be intimidated by the challenges she encountered in the line of duty.

Ms Male said she met Ms Dipao in 2004, an encounter that she said afforded her an opportunity to groom and nurture the deceased professionally.

She said back then, photojournalism was perceived as a male-dominated field and most women who embarked on the field at times felt threatened and discouraged, something that resulted in some gaving up.

“When Ms Dipao also threatened to leave the field, I sat her down and advised her accordingly. I am happy that she soldiered on and emerged as one of the best female photographers, who lived up to the expectations of this profession,” she said.

For her part, a representative of the Botswana chapter of the Women in News Media Association, Ms Maureen Odubeng, said though Ms Dipao had recently joined the association, it was fit to describe her as a pillar who led by example.

“Ms Dipao was a soft-spoken person and very collected. She always volunteered to carry out any duties within the association. I am happy that she left a legacy in the industry that we will forever cherish and look onto for motivation,” she said.

WeekendPost managing director, Ms Tryphina Kenalemang, said Ms Dipao’s death was a great loss. She decribed her as a team player who also served well beyond the borders of photography.

“Ms Dipao was ethical, she executed well her duties with minimal supervision and she was willing to impart her skills to other in-house trainees. Her death left a gap that will be difficult to fill,” she said.

Her younger sister, Ms Lorato Dipao reminisced of their old days, saying she enjoyed the privilege of being protected by her sister.

She described Ms Dipao as an angel who served and lived her life with a purpose. “My sister loved to interact with the street kids and did not mind spending time with them. She also made efforts to meet their basic needs that she could afford,” she said. ENDS