27 Mar 2022

 Batawana, on Saturday came in droves to pay tribute to and bid farewell to Senior Chief’s Chief’s Representative Kgosi Charles Letsholathebe, who is retiring after nearly six decades of of service.

Different speakers showered him with praise for serving the tribe diligently and bringing order in the 1990s when a gang going by the name Mawestern terrorised villagers.

Kgosi Letsholathebe’s service spans six decades, having first joined Batawana Tribal Administration as a secretary back in 1962.

 Said Batawana regent Kgosi Kealitile Moremi about him:  “Kgosi Letsholathebe was promoted to the post of chief’s representative in 1976. Because of his sterling work he was later elevated to the post of a senior chief’s representative,” she said.
She also described him as a hard worker who abounded in wisdom, especially when it came to settling disputes where he had no equal in terms of knowledge of the penal code.
His hard work, she said earned him a Presidential Certificate of Honour from former President, Dr Festus Mogae.
“It is therefore befitting to celebrate his contribution towards the development of our region and the country at large,” she said.
Batawana deputy paramount chief, Kgosi Bringle Dithapo concurred: “Mediating disputes is not an easy task, but I learnt skills from Kgosi Letsholathebe and Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo as they guided me,” he said. He said Kgosi Letsholathebe carried out his work with sincerity and was always ready to impart knowledge to him when he started work in 2014.
A representative from Batawana Tribal Administration, Ms Kabelo Gaethuse said Kgosi Letsholathebe was a loyal and compassionate leader who treated all equally irrespective of their backgrounds.
She said as a believer in quality service delivery, he always motivated staff to up their game when serving the people. He also was a peace-lover who was always willing to make a difference in the lives of people.
Reverend Ophaketse Kgerethwa from UCCSA who has known Kgosi Letsholathebe from youthful described him as born a leader.
He said some people regarded him as a strict leader only because he believed in perfection.
A representative from Matsaakgang regiment, Kgosi Gadibintshe Saudu described the retiring Kgosi as a loving individual always ready to give an ear where it was needed most. He was a firm leader and a disciplinarian, especially when it came to youth delinquency.  
For his part, Kgosi Letsholathebe thanked Batawana for recognising his contribution. He told the gathering about his journey in the public service, noting that he joined during difficult times when salaries were very low.
He recalled that when he joined tribal administration, his salary was R10 but this did not discourage him to serve the community. He also noted that his work required patience, and dedication which he urged his successors to cultivate.

Letsholathebe’s Matsaakgang regiment and Batawana Tribal Administration organised the event. Also in attendance was Batawana paramount chief, Kgosi Tawana Moremi.ENDS