Thobega dies
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 1, 2015 12:07
Thobega ruled Bahurutshe of Mmankgodi from 1953 after taking over from his paternal uncle Ali, who held fort on his behalf following the death of his father, Monnye.
He presided over Bahurutshe of Mankgodi and those in satellite villages of Tloaneng, Ramaphatle, Tlhaping, Fikeng and Mogonye among others.
Thobega died at the age of 87, and had been suffering from an unspecified condition for some time. “He passed on yesterday at Milpark Hospital, Johannesburg (South Africa) where he had been transferred for specialised treatment,” his brother Tata States Thobega said, adding that he died at 11:15 pm.
Tata explained the old Kgosi’s body was still in South Africa as arrangements were being made to transport it home. Thobega will be best remembered as a repository of the history of his own tribe and that of others, especially those within Kweneng District.
He will also be remembered as the longest reigning Motswana chief. Thobega suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years, and his brother Tata had taken on the ailing monarch’s responsibilities, with the exception of the House of Chiefs. Arrangements for the monarch’s funeral are ongoing. Meanwhile, prayer services are being held from 5.30 pm daily at his house in Mankgodi.