22 Jan 2023

Former radio personality, Mr Baleseng Baleseng, has been laid to rest.

The 80-year-old former presenter of Radio Botswana agricultural programme, Thibang Diphotlha  was laid to rest at his home village of Kanye at Ledubeng cemetery on Saturday. He died last week

As an agricultural extension officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Baleseng worked in several villages including Mookane, Sepopa and Sebele and developed passion for agriculture and farming. 

It was his excellent public speaking and creativity in sharing information with farmers on the latest agricultural practices that earned him recognition as an astute communicator.

Such commitment and dedication saw Mr Baleseng being sent to The Netherlands, Zambia and Kenya for advanced studies in radio and television, agriculture, rural broadcasting and spoken word. 

Upon his return from studies, Mr Baleseng established the popular Thibang Diphotlha radio programme under the Ministry of Agriculture Broadcasting Services.

He quickly became a familiar voice throughout Botswana, serving with commitment, purpose and intention. 

He continued to inspire a legion of aspiring radio presenters with confidence, humour and informative content.

He was also a writer, producer and director of a radio programme called Mojanaga. As a result of his commitment and discipline to work, he rose through the ranks in the Ministry of Agriculture from head of farm broadcasting services to deputy head of agricultural information services.

Mr Baleseng was also a Customary Court president in Lobatse at Woodhall before joining the Customary Court of Appeal.

Different speakers described him as a disciplinarian, a visionary leader who had a transformative influence to those who came in contact with him.

In his remarks, Customary Court of Appeal representative, Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe said Mr Baleseng’s footprints were visible as one of the people who led the Customary Court on a trajectory of transformation of the Customary Act in an effort to ensure that it was given the dignity that it deserved.

He said Mr Baleseng was a distinguished civil servant having worked as a Customary Court president in Lobatse, where he would be remembered as a Kgosi who endeavoured to do justice by delivering sharp and definite judgments.

“On behalf of the Customary Court of Appeal staff, I wish to send our sincere condolences to the family, for the tragic death of our father,” he said.

Her daughter, Ms Laone Gaongalelwe described Mr Baleseng  as a conservative, strict and a straight talker who had a lot of love for his entire family and friends.

She said her father had taught them well, instilling discipline because he desired to ensure that they became self-sufficient.

“You raised and taught us well. We shall forever cherish that and you will forever be missed,” she said.

Mr Baleseng retired from the public service as a Commissioner of Agricultural Management Association to pursue farming full time.

He had contributed to the socio-economic development of Botswana, something that had him decorated with many awards including the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service Awards.

Outside radio and farming, Mr Baleseng was a staunch Township Rollers supporter and had in the early years, worked as an administrator and manager.

Mr Baleseng is survived by wife, 11 children,12 grandchildren, a brother and five sisters. Ends