Klinck laid to rest
Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 26, 2015 12:59
He solely owned the station from the early 2000’s until in 2007 when e.tv-South Africa bought a stake in the business.
Klink 51, died more than a week ago after a lengthy undisclosed illness. He was regarded as one of the pioneers of the local broadcast and print media.
Although there was a relatively low turn out at the funeral, the atmosphere was impressive befitting a man of Klinck’s status. His funeral was filled with laughter and less tense moments as various speakers reminisced on their good encounters with him. Various speakers described Klinck as a selfless, humble and hard working individual. Klinck’s love for television and the media from a tender age was also deeply illustrated at the funeral.
Bramer Life Insurance Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Sikalesele-Vaka who schooled with Klinck at Mater Spei College in the early 1980’s said that the latter showed a deep-rooted passion for TV and the media in his secondary school years.
“He would watch various action movies and imitate the actors afterwards. He mimicked the actors with great perfection.
“He also liked imitating teachers at school. Acting, TV in general and literature were in his blood,” said Vaka adding that Klinck was an excellent writer who produced a poetry book at secondary school.
Vaka also said that she was not surprised when she learnt that Klinck was an owner of a TV station some years ago.
“ Apart from his love for TV and the media in general Klinck was a hard working person who always wanted to achieve things in life. He was so unique. That is why I was not surprised when I heard he was now an owner of a TV station.”
Bernard Waheng a representative from e.tv-South Africa described Klinck as a visionary and an individual who always strived to create a lasting legacy to the country, which is why he defied odds to become a TV station owner. “ Let us protect the legacy he has left for us,” he said.
He added that before e.tv-South Africa came into board as partners for e-Botswana, which was then known, as GBC TV Klinck who was then working for Barclays Bank as communications manager would share his salary with his TV workers because the station was still struggling. This he said to some extent vindicated Klinck’s humility.
Taboka Sehlulane who was Klinck’s friend and church mate at St Bernadette Cathedral said that the former was a person with a giving heart. “ He frequently donated to the church whenever there was need. He would go to an extent of donating his lavish items to charity,” she said adding that the late Klinck was a God-fearing person.
She also said that Klinck possessed a greater sense of humour and liked joking.
Klink’s son Lee Tshipana stated that his father may have had his flaws in life but overall he was a humble and giving person who always strived to make a difference in his life and that of others.
In his media career Klinck has also worked for RB2 where he was known as DJ Mickey D as well as the local print media. He was also a board member of Limkokwing University as well as ‘Sponsor a child’.