Kanye: The village that bore Botswana a world champion
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday August 9, 2022 08:00
It is within the undulating, vast Kanye landscape where the latest athletics sound track was born 19 years ago. Letsile was born in Mmalekwa ward and his family says there was always something unique about the athlete, which set him apart from his peers. He rose to national stardom last year when he set a new national 100m record in February.
He continued raising the bar higher and it is at the just ended World U-20 championships held in Columbia that Letsile announced his arrival on the big stage in devastating fashion.
He broke the 100m World U-20 record, running a jaw dropping 9.91 secs to draw comparisons with the great Jamaican, Usain Bolt. His success on the track does not only reflect on the athlete, but it has elevated his family’s status within the Kanye community.
Heads turn when the Letsile's family walks around this sprawling village. Letsile was raised by a single mother, Seratiwa and he has a young sister who is in Standard Five. Seratiwa is the last born in a family of four. Letsile had the support from his entire family and everything that he needed was at his disposal. His uncle, Tefo Tebogo told The Monitor that every family member was involved in raising Letsile. “Letsile did not care who he was left with unlike other children who cry when their mother leaves them in the care of other people.
He was unique. I do not know if I gave him the same affection that he got from my sisters because he grew up referring to me as ‘mama’. That surprised people and I do not know why he choose to call me that,” he said.
Tefo said Letsile was hyperactive, always all over the place until he started his pre-school at Kids Academy in Kanye. He said his nephew was very good in football at that tender age and believes that if he did not excel in athletics, he could be one of the best footballers in the country. “At one point, he stayed in Kang where his mother was working. They visited over weekends. During one of the visits, I took the little Letsile to the cattle post. On the way he started playing music in the vehicle.
I remember him singing along to Zahara songs, from track one to the last. That was something I did not expect from him at five years,” he said. Just like any other boy, Letsile had his share of being naughty.
Tefo spoke of an incident whereby Letsile and his cousin climbed a tree, the cousin fell and they made a pact not to tell the elders. At night, the cousin was in pain only to realise that his arm was broken. He said despite being a successful athlete, Letsile still goes to the cattle post. “When he wins a race, I give him a goat as a way of encouraging him.
I always advise him to buy tags for his goats and also to buy his own goats,” he said. Tefo said Letsile went to stay with Boitseo (aunt) when he was starting Standard One in Gaborone. “I remember during Botswana Primary School Sport Association (BOPSSA) games, he qualified to compete in Namibia. The family went there to support him and he did well.
That was the beginning of his journey. He had a recurring hamstring injury. His mother had to step up and seek medical attention from the Chinese physiotherapists. After that procedure he never struggled with the injury again. We were worried that his career will end before it starts,” he said. Tefo said they expected Letsile to be a star but not as fast as he has done so far. His achievements have brought excitement to the family. Letsile has a strong heart, according to his uncle.
He said when his World record of 9.96 was not ratified by World Athletics, he did not break down. Tefo said his nephew focused on the future. He said the athlete has close ties with his coach, Kebonyemodisa Dose Mosimanyane.
“The relationship that they have makes it easy for them to work nicely. Letsile is the not the only one in the family who had the talent of running. My sister, Tapologo was running 800m during her school days at Gaborone Secondary School. Back then sport was about fulfilling passion,” he said.
The uncle talks to his nephew before each race.
He said the main advice is always for him to stay level headed and not be destructed by fame and everything that comes with it. “Things do happen in life. When money comes in, he should be given financial literacy so that he can handle his new lifestyle. We intend to engage the services of a specialist,” he said. The first born in the family, Boitseo raised Letsile in Gaborone.
He started his Standard One at Lesedi Primary School and completed it at Lehoko Primary School. “One day while still doing Standard One, there was a sport event at Lehoko Primary. Students were refusing to run and one of the teachers requested Letsile to go into the track. He did not refuse but one thing that stood out about him, he ran in his lane until the end.
He was then transferred to Kanye. He was an active child who had to be reprimanded time and again. He also went through adolescent stage but we managed to bring him in line before he went off the rails.
He did not lack anything as a family we were always there for him,” she said. Boitseo said Letsile is obedient, even when asked to go to church, he goes. “Due to being hyperactive, he was hit by a swing on his forehead; he has the scar today.
I remember another incident when he injured his finger when a vehicle rolled over his finger. When he fell ill as a child, he will be the one comforting you, ‘Mama ke ta hola!’ he will say,” she said beaming with happiness.
Life is no longer the same for the Tebogo family. Boitseo said she attended a meeting, when introductions were made, she became reluctant to mention that she was related to Letsile. “They wanted me to introduce myself as the aunt to Botswana’s golden boy. We are proud that God gave us such a talented child. Letsile tries by all means to stay out of the limelight when he is here.
The way Letsile is performing, he has a bright future. He is an inspiration to his age mates and the public in general. It is exciting that our country has a World record holder. His success is not only for our family but the entire country,” she said with tears of joy welling up in her eyes. Boitseo said when Letsile was running at the World U-20 Championships, they had sleepless nights watching him on television.
The family is now enjoying sport and support other athletes. Letsile’s grandmother, Ditoro Tebogo said her grandchild has never had friends and that kept him focused. “I become emotional when I watch him on television. He does something that has never been done in this family.
I always advise him to stay away from friends because they can lead him astray. Friends can introduce him to drinking alcohol and smoking,” said the proud grandmother. Letsile’s other aunt, Tapologo Tebogo was an 800m runner.
Their wins were plates. She has a share of utensils that she won in the family cupboard. “I always tell him to stay grounded and focus. Avoid friends at all costs because that will be an opportunity to invite unwanted elements in his life. Letsile has made us proud, not only us, our country is proud, our ward is well known. He has made us famous,” she said.
A stone throw away from the Tebogo family’s yard, stays Orapeleng Tsile. The elderly woman is very fond of Letsile. She has known him when he was a baby. “When I was informed that he was born, I made an expression that ‘Lesego le tsile mo Rra Boitseo!’ One day when I visited his grandmother, Letsile was a baby and was being taught how to seat.
Someone had left an object a few centimetres from the baby. Letsile started crawling towards the object to pick it. We were both taken by surprise because he was too young to crawl,” she said. Tsile said he was bought a bicycle by his mother as a child and did not take long to ride it.
She said as he grew, he was bought another one. Tsile said Letsile was never a groupie even when riding his bicycle he never borrowed it to anyone. She said when he started winning races, she believed the training was a result of cycling. “Letsile has God given talent and we will always pray for him to excel. We have taught him to pray. His opponent will struggle to win against him. We love him a lot,” Tsile said.
This is unprecedented success for Letsile, his family are his number one supporters. His talent is extra ordinary and everything he touches turns into gold. As the darkness descends into the hilly village of Kanye, the Tebogo family is looking forward to the day when their son comes back home.
A cow will be slaughtered, drinks will be served as family and friends come together to celebrate.