Kgosi Letlole Thobega (86) of Mmankgodi in Kweneng District has died.
Kgosi Thobega died on Monday (March 30) in South Africa where he had gone to seek medical attention. According to one of his daughters, Ms Suzan Thobega, the Bahurutshe royal started to show signs of ill-health in September last year, but he was never bed-ridden during his illness.
She noted that his father left for South Africa about two weeks ago. Suzan said his father tied the knot in 1956 to Josephine who died in 2008. The couple had eight children. However, three boys have since died hence Kgosi Thobega being survived by four daughters and a son.
Kgosi Thobega was one of the longest serving chiefs in the country having ascended to the Bahurutshe throne in 1952.
According to his niece, Mr Tlotlo Letlole, Kgosi Thobega was a staunch Christian who would at times invite South Africa televangelist, Pastor Lesego Daniel, of Rabboni Centre Ministry for a crusade at his kgotla.
He was also instrumental in the building of the then London Missionary Society branch in the village. “He was a person who despised alcohol,” adding that the departed royal was also instrumental in the building of Mmankgodi Primary School and the village’s study group.
Kgosi Thobega was a member of Ntlo ya Dikgosi between 2004 and 2009. He was also bestowed with the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 2002 when he turned 50 years at the realm of the village chieftainship.
Kgosi Thobega, who was born in Mmankgodi in April 6,1929, will be buried on April 11 in Mmankgodi.
Source : BOPA
Source : Botswana Daily News