11 Apr 2023

Media practitioners and radio stalwarts have paid tribute to the late radio legend, Mr Geoffrey Motshidisi alias Mshombororo RaagweMalaakatse.

Mr Motshidisi, 74, died April 3 and will be buried in Bokaa Wednesday (April 12).

Different speakers at his memorial service held in Gaborone on Tuesday said he was loved by all who knew him.

Former Radio Botswana broadcaster, Mr Moreri Gabakgore, who described Mr Motshidisi as a people’s person, said they worked the airwaves when radio was the only source of entertainment and that Mr Motshidisi's voice was among those that fascinated listeners.

He said Mr Motshidisi was gifted in folk music and had a fan base that ascribed to it.

“He modulated listeners’ mood on radio through his unending humorous commentaries and jokes," he said, adding that they never knew when he was sad or having a difficult time.

Ministry for State President deputy permanent secretary, Mr Oshinka Tsiang said Mr Motshidisi’s demeanour was beyond imagination.

“He was a powerful public figure with a very disarming character and was literally larger than life,” he said.

He said Mr Motshidisi’s versatility earned him the priviledge to mentor many radio cub presenters, including him (Mr Tsiang).

Mr Tsiang also noted that Mr Motshidisi pioneered the Taking Parliament to People programme and other live broadcast events that took listeners to the scene.

Mr Tsiang also said it was time legends were celebrated when they were still alive and suggested that some studios could be named after them.

Former DailyNews managing editor, Mr Keboeletse Nkarabang said he met Mr Motshidisi in their youth as Swaneng Hill pupils.

He said he knew him to be a shy person but that had a friendly demeanour that endeared him to many.

He also noted that it earned him the respect of listeners because people got every bit of information from Radio Botswana.

Mr Patrick Masimolole said Mr Motshidisi's radio career was memorable. He said he continued to play ‘mgqashiyo’ music to his last days on radio.

He also said Mr Motshidisi was a staunch patriot who gave his first child the name Batswana.

Ms Kesego Okie, who was part of the radio broadcast cohort that benefitted from Mr Motshidisi’s wealth of knowledge, described him as a broadcaster of note.

She said Mr Motshidisi made radio broadcast easy to learn because he loved what he was doing hence everything became effortless.

Ms Okie said he knew what should be consumed by listeners, adding that legends such as Mr Motshidisi held the institutional memory of the radio industry in Botswana. “Their wisdom should be used to make radio presenters of note in our country,” she said.

Family representative, Mr Oduetse Motshidisi said Mr Motshidisi hailed from Serowe and settled in Bokaa due to his career that forced him to spend most of his life in the southern part of the country.

He said Mr Motshidisi loved radio since childhood and that he regarded it as an extension of his body.

He thanked mourners for paying tribute and eulogising the late Mr Motshidisi.

Mr Motshidisi leaves behind a wife and three daughters. BOPA